Former Chairman of the People’s
Democratic Party (PDP) and loyalist of the Ogun State Governor, Gbenga
Daniel, Joju Fadairo yesterday declared that he has decided to join
Olusegun Obasanjo’s faction of the party in the state. The former
Nigerian president’s faction of the party had produced Tunji Olurin as
the PDP’s governorship candidate for Ogun State. Mr Olurin’s status was
confirmed by a court judgement which declared him as the valid flag
bearer of the party in the state in the April polls.
Committed to party
Addressing a press conference in his
private residence located in the state capital, Abeokuta, Mr Fadairo
said he will not join those who left the PDP for the Peoples Party of
Nigeria (PPN). “I am a loyal member of the PDP, I have personal
obligations to the party and I will not shirk my responsibility to
uphold and work the party to victory. I must confess to you that the
imbroglio that has engulfed the PDP in Ogun State since 2006 or
thereabout has done more harm than good for all of us, individually, or
and collectively.” Mr Fadairo added that all candidates under the
banner of PDP under Obasanjo’s camp remain his (Fadairo) candidates of
choice who he is going to work for at the polls. “Moreso, that I am a
founding father of the party, I therefore, see no reason why I should
move out of a mansion I co-built,” he said.
The party leader, who said he should be
seen as an elder of the party who should be working towards peace and
unity of the party at all times, stressed “I want to say unequivocally
here that, I Olajoju Fadairo, remains a loyal and committed member of
the PDP in Ogun State, the Southwest and indeed in Nigeria.
“In the light of the above, I want to
make a passionate plea to all members of the PDP, to recognise that the
sacred responsibility as members regardless of factions is to protect,
defend and uphold the constitution of the party,” Mr Fadairo stressed.
Letter from INEC
In a related development, Gboyega
Isiaka who left the PDP to contest for governorship under the platform
of the PPN, told journalists at a press conference that he has received
a letter of acknowledgement from the Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC).
Mr Isiaka, accompanied by his running
mate, Jokotade Odebunmi and other decampees to Iwe-Iroyin Press Centre,
in the state capital, alleged that Mr Obasanjo and his group stole his
mandate. He said he is ready to challenge Mr Olurin for debate ahead of
the election, boasting that he is sure of defeating the retired army
General in the governorship race. “I have the experience and I am ready
for public debate,” he said.
