Ogun gov: Showunmi’s allegations baseless, says PDP S’West ex-organising secretary

The immediate past Peoples Democratic Party’s Organising Secretary in the South-West, Fasiu Bakenne, in this interview with DAUD OLATUNJI, speaks on the crisis rocking the party in the state and insists that Oladipupo Adebutu is the authentic governorship candidate of the party in Ogun.

How can you describe the state of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State?

The PDP is stronger than ever; more united than before and ready to take over governance in 2023.

It seems the PDP has been abandoned by some of its founding fathers to the younger generation in Ogun. Do you think otherwise?

The PDP is not abandoned by the founding fathers, but it allows the younger ones who are more energetic to do the party activities. Members still consult those alive among the founding fathers for wise counsel.

As it is, the PDP has been divided into four factions, Oladipupo Adebutu, Jimi Lawal, Segun Showunmi, and Bamgbose. What is your take on that?

There is no division in the PDP, but there are loyalist groups. The party is not factionalised; rather, members pitch tents with whoever they perceive as the messiah in the build-up to the party congress. There is no crisis in the PDP. All issues and complaints arising from congresses are being attended to through the reconciliation committee and personal appeals, even those that rush to court, are still being contacted.

Who is the leader of the party in the state?

The leader of the party is the state Chairman, Dr Sikirullahi Ogundele.

What are the elderly doing in this crisis?

The elderly are not folding arms to settle any differences that arose during the congress. The reconciliation committee has been set up and contact is being made to persuade those aggrieved members. I am aware that the state executive members under the leadership of Sikirullahi Ogundele are making efforts to ensure all members remain united.

Segun Showunmi took the party to court over primaries. What is your view?

Segun Showunmi went to court for reasons best known to him. He is contesting the eligibility of the executive to conduct the state congresses. Without prejudice, he should withdraw the case and be part of the progressive train. He went to court alleging bias on the part of the executive and prayed for the dissolution of the executive or possible constitution of a caretaker committee. His case predates the party primaries.

The PDP has two governorship candidates. Are you aware of that? Why?

The state congress took place at the chosen venue by the party, that is, the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library. Only two candidates were in attendance-Oladipupo Adebutu and Jimi Lawal. Votes were cast and counted, and the winner was declared.

There is only one governorship candidate. He is the Honourable Oladipupo Adebutu, who emerged from a well convened state congress backed by the party’s constitution, party’s guidelines and Electoral Act 2022 (as amended). Any Congress that fails to comply with the party’s constitution and guidelines is alien to the party and of no consequence. Such gatherings of friends for breakfast cannot be described as producing candidates for our party.

Who is the governorship candidate of the party in the state in your view and why?

The governorship candidate is Oladipupo Adebutu, according to the party constitution and guidelines and the Electoral Law (as amended). The state congress that determined the governorship candidate produced only one candidate. The candidate is Oladipupo Adebutu.

Were you part of the emergence of the party governorship candidate.

As a delegate, I am not, but, as a party member, I am part of Adebutu’s emergence.

Do you play any role? If so, what role and why?

I played a good leadership role in ensuring that a more acceptable candidate who could match the game and lead us to victory in 2023 emerged from the Congress. I thank God that Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu emerged.

What is your view on the adoption of Adekunle Akinlade as deputy governorship candidate of the PDP in Ogun?

Adekunle Akinlade’s adoption is a welcome decision that will add more to our value and give the PDP greater hope towards the next election. No doubt, Akinlade is more of an asset to our party and he has demonstrated a deep commitment to the success of PDP in 2023.

By the special grace of Allah, we shall together be at Oke-Mosan as Governor and Deputy Governor from May 29, 2023.

Are you not afraid that the party will lose if it goes to the polls in this crisis?

We are not unmindful of several complaints. Let me assure you that the party executive under the leadership of Sikirullahi Ogundele and our governorship candidate, Oladipupo Adebutu, with other elders, leaders and members of the party are vigorously pursuing and ensuring total unity within members as well as attracting more to our folds.

There is no cause for alarm as all hands are on deck to ensure a united team to send the APC parking. We cannot afford another four years of economic hardship, insecurity, unequal education, agricultural development propaganda, a deteriorating road network, an alarming inflation rate, and deceptive governance.

Why are you not contesting again?

For now, I am not contesting in the coming election as I want to ensure that my party wins the next election.

Showunmi accused some party leaders of buying the form for Adebutu, which was the reason he headed to court. Were they right to have done that?

This is a lame excuse and an accusation that holds no water. Whose name is on the receipt issued for the payment? An experienced politician must be able to understand an “advertisement puff” statement made to scare competitors. Even if bought for a particular aspirant, does that guarantee victory at the congress? If he alleged likely bias on the part of the executive members, he should have tactically withdrawn the case from court because the executive were constitutionally barred from the congresses (Electoral Act 2022 as amended).

What is your view on the sharing of positions in the PDP at the national level?

The appointment or election to these positions did not happen at the same time. It will gradually ease off. I am convinced that after the victory of our presidential candidate in February, the party will then converge to normalise all the lopsidedness. The BOT (Board of Trustees) chairman has equally agreed to step down to pave the way for a united PDP that will send away the sorrow and hardship being inflicted on Nigerians by the ruling APC.

How best do you think the party leaders should resolve the crisis between the Rivers State governor and the party’s presidential candidate?

The party hierarchy should continue to appeal to Governor Wike because of his unalloyed support and loyalty to the party. He was there for the party at a critical period, so he must not be abandoned or neglected. The BOT as a body should reach out to him. I am sure very soon he will respond positively.