As the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State wriggles with factional crisis, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has resolved to recognise the Chief Adebayo Dayo-led state executive committee of the party in the state.
The electoral body hinged its decision on the judgement of the Federal High Court which validated the congresses that produced the Dayo-led executive.
In a letter signed by the Secretary to the commission, Abdullahi A. Kaugama, INEC also directed the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ogun State to relate with the recognised executive committee in obedience to court orders.
It is believed that the order is a setback to the former President Olusegun Obasanjo faction which is battling Dayo for the control of the party.
A certified true copy (CTC) of the letter, dated 18 September, 2012, and entitled: “Re: Situation report on the executive committee crisis in PDP Ogun State,” was apparently a reply by the INEC headquarters in Abuja to an earlier inquiry by the state REC.
Kaugama’s letter reads: “Your letter dated 5th September, 2012 on the above subject matter refers. You will recall that the Federal High Court in suit No. FHC/L/347/2012 and FHC/L/CS/535/2012 held that the Congresses conducted by the Bashorun Dayo Soremi Harmonised State Executive Committee and the Executive Committee that emerged therefrom are valid.
“The Commission, as a law-abiding institution, has resolved to accept and relate with the said Executive Committee in obedience to the orders of the Federal High Court. Please be guided.”
It will be recalled that the Dayo executive had been enmeshed in a lingering leadership tussle with the Senator Dipo Odujinrin-led faction, believed to be loyal to Obasanjo.
But there was a new twist in the power play between the two groups recently as the Odujinrin faction seized control of the party’s State Secretariat in Abeokuta allegedly with thugs, barring members sympathetic to Dayo from gaining entry.
To forestall a breakdown of law and order, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Mamman Tsafe, met with the warring leaders of the two factions on Tuesday, urging them to embrace peace and seek intra-party solution to their wrangling.
Meanwhile, chieftains of the party have described the recent reconciliation and unification of three factions within the PDP as a major boost and good omen ahead of the 2015 general elections.
At a meeting held in Ijebu-Igbo at the weekend, the party leaders said the merger of the factions, belonging to former Governor Gbenga Daniel, Prince Buruji Kashamu and Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye respectively, would go a long way in solidifying and repositioning the PDP.
Those who spoke, including Prince Buruji Kashamu, Chief Wale Egunleti, Chief Agboola Alausa, Hon. Dele Obadina, Hon. Kayode Amusan, Hon. Kunle Salako and Alhaja Faidat Sarumi, were unanimous in their submissions that the new rapprochement in the state PDP would brighten its chances and enable the party to clinch victory in subsequent poll.
Kashamu noted that INEC’s recognition of the Dayo-led executive was instructive and had further laid to rest the tussle over the party’s leadership in the state.
“The exco is recognised as the authentic body to nominate candidates for the 2015 general elections. The 2015 general elections is not a do-or-die battle but we must win,” he added. The PDP chieftain, therefore, urged aspirants interested in vying for political offices in 2015 poll to approach the Dayo executive and disregard any other factional leadership parading itself as the authentic.
Kashamu also charged members to remain steadfast and committed to the unity of the party, adding that they should accommodate returnees and new entrants in the scheme of things.
Egunleti, another party chieftain, stressed the need for PDP faithful to refrain from anti-party activities and dual loyalty to wrest power from the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the state.
In a letter signed by the Secretary to the commission, Abdullahi A. Kaugama, INEC also directed the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ogun State to relate with the recognised executive committee in obedience to court orders.
It is believed that the order is a setback to the former President Olusegun Obasanjo faction which is battling Dayo for the control of the party.
A certified true copy (CTC) of the letter, dated 18 September, 2012, and entitled: “Re: Situation report on the executive committee crisis in PDP Ogun State,” was apparently a reply by the INEC headquarters in Abuja to an earlier inquiry by the state REC.
Kaugama’s letter reads: “Your letter dated 5th September, 2012 on the above subject matter refers. You will recall that the Federal High Court in suit No. FHC/L/347/2012 and FHC/L/CS/535/2012 held that the Congresses conducted by the Bashorun Dayo Soremi Harmonised State Executive Committee and the Executive Committee that emerged therefrom are valid.
“The Commission, as a law-abiding institution, has resolved to accept and relate with the said Executive Committee in obedience to the orders of the Federal High Court. Please be guided.”
It will be recalled that the Dayo executive had been enmeshed in a lingering leadership tussle with the Senator Dipo Odujinrin-led faction, believed to be loyal to Obasanjo.
But there was a new twist in the power play between the two groups recently as the Odujinrin faction seized control of the party’s State Secretariat in Abeokuta allegedly with thugs, barring members sympathetic to Dayo from gaining entry.
To forestall a breakdown of law and order, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Mamman Tsafe, met with the warring leaders of the two factions on Tuesday, urging them to embrace peace and seek intra-party solution to their wrangling.
Meanwhile, chieftains of the party have described the recent reconciliation and unification of three factions within the PDP as a major boost and good omen ahead of the 2015 general elections.
At a meeting held in Ijebu-Igbo at the weekend, the party leaders said the merger of the factions, belonging to former Governor Gbenga Daniel, Prince Buruji Kashamu and Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye respectively, would go a long way in solidifying and repositioning the PDP.
Those who spoke, including Prince Buruji Kashamu, Chief Wale Egunleti, Chief Agboola Alausa, Hon. Dele Obadina, Hon. Kayode Amusan, Hon. Kunle Salako and Alhaja Faidat Sarumi, were unanimous in their submissions that the new rapprochement in the state PDP would brighten its chances and enable the party to clinch victory in subsequent poll.
Kashamu noted that INEC’s recognition of the Dayo-led executive was instructive and had further laid to rest the tussle over the party’s leadership in the state.
“The exco is recognised as the authentic body to nominate candidates for the 2015 general elections. The 2015 general elections is not a do-or-die battle but we must win,” he added. The PDP chieftain, therefore, urged aspirants interested in vying for political offices in 2015 poll to approach the Dayo executive and disregard any other factional leadership parading itself as the authentic.
Kashamu also charged members to remain steadfast and committed to the unity of the party, adding that they should accommodate returnees and new entrants in the scheme of things.
Egunleti, another party chieftain, stressed the need for PDP faithful to refrain from anti-party activities and dual loyalty to wrest power from the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the state.
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