Estimated reading time: 44 minute(s)
Sodiq Mojibola
A secret mega opposition might settle for the governorship candidate of the the People’s Democratic Party in Ogun state, Ladi Adebutu against the second term ambition of the incumbent governor, Dapo Abiodun.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the two court judgements against the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Biyi Otegbeye which led to the expunge of his name and other ADC candidates from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s list, seem to be a blessing in disguise for Adebutu .
A fresh revelation has shown that both secret and open backers of Otegbeye have started giving a serious consideration for plan B which is Adebutu to wrest power from Abiodun in 2023 election.
Findings by PLATFORM TIMES showed that many residents of Ogun state seem to be tired of Abiodun government, despite his performance in some sectors.
It was also gathered that, Abiodun’s style of governance of not reaching out to the people he is governing was working seriously against his second term ambition .
While many people who spoke with PLATFORM TIMES lauded him on his performance in some areas like road projects ; health and Education sectors, other residents vowed to work against him in the coming election for not performing ‘like his predecessors’.
Recalled that both All Progressives Congress and the Labour Party had challenged the primaries that produced Otegbeye and others in the ADC in court and got favourable judgements .
PLATFORM TIMES further gathered that in compliance with the court order , INEC had deleted Otegbeye and other candidates’ names from its list ahead of the 2023 election .
Otegbeye who,findings have shown has become a factor in Ogun west where he hails from, had the backing of former governor of the state, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and others might be dumped for Adebutu if the court verdict was not quashed in this year .
As part of plans to show his level of acceptance in the state, Adebutu flagged-off his campaign with a massive walk in Abeokuta, the state capital .
This show of force was held 76 Days to the 2023 Elections, following the judgement by a federal high Court in Abuja that declared him the party’s candidate having won the party’s primary election.
Adebutu had been embattled since the Party’s primary election held in May 22, was invalidated and annulled by a federal high court as prayed by a faction loyal to a founding father, Segun Seriki led by Kayode Bamgbose as the factional chairman .
No fewer than three factions had taken Adebutu to the courts over the party ticket and the structure .
A federal high court had earlier annulled the election on the premise of electoral act following their pleas that the court should nullify the election and order the party to conduct a fresh one.
However, in the judgment of Justice Ekwo, it was held that the plaintiffs failed to establish his allegation substantially that the election was not conducted in compliance with the constitution of the land.
A source hinted PLATFORM TIMES that series of meetings have been held between Adebutu and some big wigs where plans were being perfected to adopt him as the mega candidate in case ADC was not listed by INEC for the coming election.
…Adebutu Unveils Seven Point Agenda
Adebutu ,during the Flag off unveiled seven points agenda through which he plans to govern the state .
He said” improved security, law and order; local government autonomy, urban renewal and physical planning and development; rural and community development; agricultural and economic development; development of women, youths and sport; development of education; health care and social services .
“With these programmes, PDP is determined to take the state to greater heights and bring relief to the people of Ogun State.”
…The Victory After Legal Setbacks
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja upheld the primary election that produced Oladipupo Adebutu as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ogun State to bring an end to a legal tussle that resulted as a fallout from the May 25 gubernatorial primary election.
Director of Media, Ladi Adebutu and Akinlade Campaign Organisation, Afolabi Orekoya described the period as “where darkness seems to be taking over light, by people (both within and outside the party) who were determined to thwart the will of the people.”
Orekoya in a statement wrote: “With thanks to God Almighty, the merciful and glorious One who made these victories possible for all members and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State, the candidate of the party, elected at the party’s gubernatorial primary of 25th May, 2022 and reaffirmed by the Courts, Hon. (Dr) Oladipupo Adebutu is calling on all members and supporters of PDP in Ogun State to take the victories at the courts as victory for all.
“From today, we are entering another phase of our collective designed processes towards changing our State’s development and growth for the better.
“Indeed, it has been a long drawn battle, where darkness seems to be taking over light, by people (both within and outside the party) who were determined to thwart the will of the people.
“The journey to this moment had been tough and hard for over a decade with the lives of some of our precious members lost in the process; as we continue to pray for the repose of the souls of our dear people, we are thanking God for bringing us to this moment of peace in our party; a moment that light has eventually prevailed over darkness.
“The judgment of 1st of December at the Federal High Court in Abuja and that of the Appeal Court sitting in Ibadan on 28th November, 2022 which upheld the candidacy of all the winners of the primary election in the State as the authentic candidates of the party and particularly the gubernatorial candidate are victories for all party members, supporters and the good people of Ogun State.
“Our utmost appreciation goes to the National Executive Council of our great party led by His Excellency, Sen. Iyorchia Ayu, for their unflinching support and unrelenting effort in ensuring that the mandate of the majority of party members in Ogun State was restored despite sponsored efforts of some people, who whether knowingly or unknowingly gave themselves up for use to destabilize the party.
“Now that the storm in our party is over, we call on all our friends fellow party men and women, including those that for one reason or the other may have been aggrieved or left the party, to let us join hands together at this time, for the “work to finish line” at the 2023 General elections.
“Once again, we call on all members of the party within the State to see the Court judgements as victory for all and accept the judgements in good faith while all hands are to be on deck towards ensuring the victory of PDP across all levels in 2023.
“We enjoin all party members to embrace discipline and respect for the constitution of the party and leadership; so that the leadership can give a clear direction that will propel the party to victory in 2023 and beyond.
“On behalf of the party’s gubernatorial candidate Hon. (Dr) Oladipupo Adebutu and other candidates of the party, we express gratitude to our teeming members, loyalists, stakeholders, leaders and executive members of the PDP under the leadership of Hon. Sikirulahi Ogundele, for standing firm and strong despite the recent setbacks faced by the party.
“We also appreciate the judiciary for standing on the side of true justice by delivering judgements that reflect an independent judiciary and which will serve as good reference point in futute.
“The experiences of continuous good governance between 2003-2011 when PDP ruled in Ogun State, has made the Party to review and reflect on the past activities, mistakes and inactions of all successive APC govts, and resolve to embark on complete Reset and Recalibration of Governance, towards bringing our promised ‘ITURA’ for the populace across board.
“PDP remains the best party that has democratically governed the Gateway State before, and still remains the only Party that truly delivered practical dividends of democracy to the people at the Local Government level.
“Upon this victory and our readiness for the great job of bringing relief to our people of Ogun State, our manifesto will be launched in a couple of days, to be followed with a release of our Action Plan.
“Our incoming Governor, by the Grace of Almighty God, has been living permanently amongst the people of the State, in the last 32yrs without break; that practically allows him to know where all the shoes pinch and it’s now time to fix these things and give relief. With your full endorsement and continued support, the will of God on all of us will manifest.”
The Supreme Court Has The Final Say, Media Aid To Jimi Lawal Posits
“We have a right to appeal and that is what we are exercising, the High Court is not the last court of the land. It is the supreme court that has the final say on issues like this.
*We were categorical in our statement that we were already taking steps to appeal. It is not over until the supreme court says it is over.
“What we are asking the court to do is to nullify the congress that was conducted with unelected delegates and order a rerun with delegates that were monitored by INEC.
“If the court agrees to our prayers, that is what will now happen.
Austin furthered by explaining the experience and track record of the embattled aspirant.
“Whether Jimi Lawal has the political clout to win can be seen in the kind of fight he has put up with someone who has the whole party in his pocket.
“This is not the first time that Otunba Jimi Lawal is contesting in an election. The last time he tried was when he came second in the contest for the national leadership of APC, even the one that the then Governor Amosun conducted, he came second in that one too.
“More importantly, even the sitting governor today hasn’t held any political office till he elected. So, this indicates that when God says it’s your time, then it’s your time. Understanding and speaking the people’s language is what’s important. Understanding the people issues and wants also matter.
“Another important thing is that the incumbent government should be doing well, if not, the people would certainly be looking for alternatives. Hence, we strongly believe that Otunba Jimi Lawal represent that alternative, not just about him but considering his track record, antecedent and programmes.
Judges Enjoined To Not Join The Prey
Media Aid to Jimi Lawal, Austin Oniyoko expressed disatisfaction on the judges comment that the embattled governorship aspirant, Jimi Lawal, was “playing spoiler games”.
Oniyokor said “In the court, lawyers and judges and enjoined to not join the prey. That comment by the judge was certainly not the law and not justice, it just shows the bias of the judge.
“I beg you to hold on and wait for what the court of appeal and supreme court will have to say about it.
“Certainly that is something more than the ordinary, I am sure that this comment would be corrected by the upper judiciary.
“Let’s keep our fingers crossed and await what the court of appeal and supreme court would say. You would see that certainly the man wasn’t talking about the law or the fact before him, he was probably carried away or too excited about what some people have said.
“It doesn’t matter even if Otunba Jimi Lawal joined the party in a month to the election, what should be asked is whether this man was that did the party screen him, did he meet the constitutional requirements of this party? Did the party give him the certificate that he was fit to contest?
“How come they are just mentioning this now after he took them on. Even the constitution says one can join a party in a month. He joined the party in February and that shows he joined about three months to the election.
“The party did not just collect his money to buy expression of intent and then he governorship form of 20 million, and then he was taken to Ibadan for screening and he met the requirements.
“The interesting thing is that, it’s not even the party that is raising the issue, it is the opponent. You know, for somebody that had been underestimated giving them a run for their money, and sleepless night, they started giving excuses, saying he is a mole. If they knew he was a mole, why did they welcome him initially. The chairman came to meet him at the Ake Palace ground when he made declaration.
“This are political statements that are not deserving to be called issues. They should know that something is wrong with their system for someone they call a stranger to give them a run for their money. The people who supported him are the people he met in the PDP who were just disatisfied with the status quo and wanted a change, not those he brought from APC.
“When people cannot stand up to competition, that is when they start looking for things that do not exist. Fundamentally, the problems we are having is the problem of imposition and corruption.”
…Favourable Judgements Put PDP In A Fine Stead
A chieftain of the party ,Fasiu Bakene said the judgements has put PDP in a vantage position to win the coming election .
Bakene said “We have had some legal setbacks. We had two favourable judgements. Setting aside the earlier judgements from a federal high court in Abeokuta, another one from federal high court, Abuja.
“Those three legal victories have readily put PDP in a fine stead and well positioned for the coming general election.
“On Friday, we had our flag-off campaign in Ogun State. The party is stable and fine, we are doing well and we are good to go.”
… Emerging Forces Of The PDP
The party’s spokesperson, Akinloye Bankole said the party has some forces that can work for the victory of the party despite the exit of some bigwigs in the party .
He said “of course, there are new emerging forces in PDP. Emerging forces that are deeply rooted in community politics and activities around all the political parties in Ogun State. We have past political office holders in our midst and those that left the party in our dark days too, since the coming of the judgement that I mentioned earlier, they have been looking back to returning back to the party and we have opened a reliable line of communication with them and we are seriously talking. For now, I would not want to mention names.”
Big Names Don’t Win Matches Again – PDP PRO
Bankoke continued “Salimot Badru left the PDP around 2017/18. She left the party in the company of followers that believed in her leadership. They left as a result of the crisis in the party then, which has been put to bed now by virtue of the judicial pronouncement from the appeal court earlier mentioned.
“They couldn’t withstand the crisis and didn’t have enough shock absorber to stay afloat, perhaps that was why they left. Now however, all those have become issues of the past and the PDP is back and better, stronger and we are much united.
“Some people left the party in the build up to the 2019 election. The likes of Salmot Badru, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and a host of them like that. Everything we lost then has been perfectly recovered by the party like I mentioned to you earlier.
“We have new crops of qualified and agile youths across all the 20 local governments in the state. Those that have direct contact with their communities. Those that are truly entrenched and established in rendering community service for the people.
“These people may not have held political office in the past, but I tell you that they are resourceful and vibrant youths across the local governments in the state.
“By virtue of the electoral law that guides the conduct of elections, Big names, just like in football, don’t win matches again.
….Moles Within PDP Tamed
Bankole said “a political party is an all coming organization which has a lot of people. Even those that are not readily known within the hierarchy of the party, there are many that are operating only at local government and ward level.
“It is not impossible for any political organization to have moles within. What is important is how the party as a responsible and disciplined organisation tames and contains such elements.
“In our party, recently, we discovered some of them and we dealt with them by expulsion. As I am speaking with you, they are under expulsion from the party and none of them that were caught and expelled has gone to challenge the party decision in court.”
On the claim that Adebutu’s father will take over the governance after the emergence of his son as governor, Bankole said “we have said it severally that , Hon Adebutu has always been an independent person, he has a multi-millionaire business, without any input by his father, he’s in control of a workforce of about two thousand plus without any influence of his father,
“You can go to Peru and go and see the kind of businesses he controls there, and also in Ode-Remo, all his investments are in Ogun State.”
Estimated reading time: 1 minute(s)
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