'WHY OGD'S MEN DEFECTED TO PPN'
The Special Adviser on Sports, Youths and Empowerment, to the Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, has explained why supporters of the governor decamped to the relatively new political party in the state, the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN). Rasheed Ajayi, who is also the current state Publicity Secretary of the (PPN), yesterday said the hierarchy of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was not fair to Governor Daniel and other ex- PDP members loyal to him.
His words: 'Justice, equity and fairness are the words, when you have individuals that are popular. Isiaka is overwhelmingly popular in Ogun State. He is the one that people want as the next governor and if you are denied of your right, there is nothing wrong in seeking other avenue to defend your mandate to represent the people that elected you.'
He stated the PPN had adopted the former factional gubernatorial candidate of the embattled (PDP) in the state, Mr. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka (GNI) as its gubernatorial candidate for next month's election.
According to him, all those who were genuinely elected during the primaries conducted in Abeokuta by the PDP have moved enmass to the PPN. 'What you heard on radio or read in newspapers yesterday is true. Yes, we are now in the Peoples Party of Nigeria, a party which motive is good and with responsive governance.'
He added: 'Members of PDP that are loyal to Governor Gbenga Daniel and are formerly in the PDP are now in PPN. So, I can confirm that to you. I can also confirm to you that Prince Gboyega Isiaka is our governorship candidate in PPN Ogun State and the party has equally adopted President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate in the coming elections.'
'In PPN, we have the governorship candidate, Senate and House of Representatives candidates as well as House of Assembly candidates. It is clear where the interest of the people lies, we are not going back to the dark days.'
Ajayi lamented that what currently happened in the country was 'an attempt to muzzle the judiciary by some individuals through their ill-gotten wealth to truncate the peace in the party.'
'It is quite clear, according to the Electoral Act on how the elections were to be conducted. so people who are now in PDP know why they are still there and they chose to be there but as for us, we are now in PPN, the party that believes in justice, equity and not like PDP where imposition of candidates is the order of the day.
'It is a party that parades people with questionable character and you expect us to still remain in such party, no, we cannot remain in such party,' Ajayi stated.
'The people of Ogun state desire credible people to represent them and promote the good works which Otunba Gbenga Daniel has been doing in the last 8years; we won't allow mediocrity to block our ways of progress.
On whether Governor Daniel is a member AND financier of the PPN in Ogun State, Ajayi said: 'Daniel is not a member of PPN, he is a member of PDP and the Southwest
Coordinator of Goodluk Jonathan and Sambo campaign organization but other people that are loyal to him are there.'