I REMAIN OGUN PDP SECRETARY – OTEMOLU

The crisis in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State got messier yesterday as the suspended Secretary, Chief Pegba Otemolu refused to vacate office, saying only God can remove him.

It would be recalled that the harmonized leadership of the Chief Dayo Soremi on Monday announced the suspension of Otemolu for anti-party activities.

But addressing a press conference yesterday at the factional headquarters of the party, Otemolu said he remains the 'authentic' secretary of the 'authentic' party in the state. He described the Soremi led-faction as a composition of dissident group who had failed in their sponsored attempt at destabilizing the party.

Earlier, a factional chairman of the party, loyal to Governor Daniel, Chief Joju Fadairo described Soremi as an impostor whose sole agenda was to cause confusion and disaffection 'in our party.

'It is obvious that this gross anti-party behaviour and antics are hinged on some hidden agenda which is now a common knowledge of everybody.''

Speaking on the reconciliatory efforts of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Fadairo said: 'We respect our father that set up the reconciliatory committee. But I can tell you that as far as we are concerned, the report is yet to be made public.

He denied the allegation that he had been restrained by a court injunction from parading himself as the chairman of the party, saying that such injunction never existed as he has been attending functions of the national headquarters.

Fadairo, who described the Soremi's group as a dissident group, declared the action of the group as illegal and in contravention of the Article 21J of the PDP's constitution.

'The meeting they held was illegal and therefore, all decisions from such an illegal gathering is a nullity. By the constitution of the PDP, the only organ that can call an extended meeting of such nature is led by me.'