Governor Daniel Shuns Jonathan Rally in Ibadan

Gbenga Daniels, the embattled Governor of Ogun State and coordinator of Jonathan/Sambo campaign organization in the south west, was conspicuously absent at the campaign rally held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital in favour of President Goodluck Jonathan. The rally was used by the President to seek the support of the South-Western people of the country as the country prepares for elections in April this year.  

  Those present included former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Jonathan and the country's Vice President Namadi Sambo.  

  The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, who is also having a challenge in relation to the removal of his name from the list of candidates displayed by the Independent National Electoral Commission this week, was also in attendance.  

  Other party stalwarts who were in attendance included Governor Alao Akala and past governors in the South-West who belong to the Peoples Democratic Party.  

  While the rally was going on, Governor Daniel, who was saddled with the responsibility of winning the South-West for Jonathan, was busy deliberating with members of his faction in his   Asoludero Court, Sagamu residence in Ogun State following the recognition of the Olusegun Obasanjo faction of the PDP and candidates who emerged from the faction in the State.  

  In the meeting with hundreds of supporters, Governor Daniel, who days ago had boasted that he would de-mystify Obasanjo in the forthcoming elections, seemed to have resigned to fate as he gave an indication that he may be pulling out of the PDP with his supporters.  

  Governor Daniel gave the PDP leadership a 24 hour ultimatum to the to rescind some of its decisions on Ogun politics or face mass exodus of the people.  

  According to him, "if they want us here, we will stay; but if they don't want us, we will not. But I can assure you we will break our fast tomorrow.  

  "We did conduct the primaries; they sent people from Abuja. Security came, INEC came and one week after they started everything and INEC listed those who did not participate in the primaries as the candidates.  

  "Since I have been taking you around, have I ever directed you wrongly?  

  "After fasting, it would be broken. We have fasted and we will break our fast tomorrow. Then you will all know where we are going. This is Ogun State where we have been truthful" Daniel explained to his supporters.  

  Huhuonline.com has learnt that the Governor has perfected plans to move with his supporters to the Accord Party from where he hopes to pursue his senatorial ambition and ensure that candidates within his faction still remained relevant.  

  A close source explained that Governor Daniel wanted to "take advantage of the February 15 deadline given by INEC for the substitution of names.  

 
  "I can assure you he is heading for the Accord Party, all other things being equal," the source who spoke on phone said.  

 
  He also said Bankole was confused about the entire issue saying he was sending emisaries to pacify Obasanjo.

 
  "He was formally in Obasanjo's camp. All of a sudden, he shifted ground thinking that Daniel held the swing. Now he does not know where to go because it is sure he is going to be the biggest casualty," another source in the Obasanjo camp told Huhuonline.com