Ademola Babalola in Ibadan
Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, former Governor Gbenga Daniel of Ogun state, Senator Iyiola Omisore, Chief Olabode George and the South-west Zonal Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Eddy Olafeso, Mondaymoved against a serving senator of the party from Ogun East, Buruji Kashamu, as the expulsion axe dangles on him for the roles he played while the national leadership tussle of the party lasted.
To this end, the leaders after their marathon meeting attended by 20 representatives from each of the six states of Oyo, Ogun, Lagos, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti States including party chiefs from Accord, Labour, Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Alliance for Democracy (AD), in Ibadan, set-up a disciplinary committee to sanction the senator over his perceived anti-party activities.
Apart from the top shots listed above, others at the meeting were Alhaja Mulikat Akande-Adeola, Ex-Minister for Police Affairs, Alhaji Jelili Adesiyan, a former PDP Senator Hosea Agboola, Senator Ayoade Adeseun, Femi Babalola Jogor, Chief Sharafadeen Alli (LP), Dr Saka Balogun, Babatunde Oduyoye (AD), Tajudeen Oladipo (Ex-south-west PDP leader), Senator Femi Lanlehin (Accord), Temitayo Jegede, Lowo Obisesan, Chief Joju Fadairo, Alhaja Bose Adedibu, former ALGON Chairman in the State, Ademola Ojo, Ladi Adebutu, Oyo State PDP coordinator, Muraina Ajibola and erstwhile PDP Administrator in the state, Alhaji Asimiyu Alarape among others.
The party in the communique read by the zonal chairman of the party, Dr. Olafeso at the end of its South-west Caucus meeting which lasted about 4hours, said the anti-party activities of some of the PDP members made the party to loose elections in Ondo, Ogun and Edo States respectively.
He, therefore, urged the Ogun State chapter of the party which is the primary constituency of Kashamu to do away with anything that has to do with the senator and stop dealing with him henceforth.
The communique reads: “The lonal leadership also hereby condemn and regret the action and ignoble role of some of its membership that led to the unfortunate experience and trauma that held the entire party down for over a year now and pray that may such never reoccur in our great party.
“The entire South-west leadership and stakeholders condemn the destabilizing and anti-party activities of Senator Buruji Kashamu and demand disciplinary actions against him for his roles in the loss of the party in Ogun, Ondo and Edo States.
“The zonal leadership and stakeholders hereby dissociate the zone from the activities of Kashamu and resolve further to henceforth desist from dealing with him in any capacity in the zone, and the leadership of the party in Ogun State are hereby directed to stop all dealings and meetings that may involve Kashamu and his agents until further notice
“The zonal leadership and stakeholders also hereby reject any association whatsoever with Kashamu henceforth
“It is hereby resolved that a special committee be set up at the zonal and national level to reach out and appeal to all those who had left the party as a result of the disruptive and destructive activities and act of sabotage visited upon the party.â€
Fayose, who is also the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, said the Supreme Court did justice to Nigeria and not PDP.
Fayose who said the party which is now in opposition, is optimistic to regain the power in 2019.
“Today we are in opposition,tomorrow we will be in power. This party must be protected. We need a President that is hale and hearty. Looking inwards, it is time to reposition PDP, it is time to take decisions, if you have problem and you did not nip it in the bud, the problem will continue.
“God saved us first time, second time, we must save ourselves this time.
He said that the problem of PDP in the region started from Ogun State where Kashamu hailed from.
Fayose also said he did not hate President Muhammadu Buhari with his utterances against him, but he believes that leadership must come with a certain level of strength.
He said he is the voice of opposition in Nigeria, adding that any democracy without opposition ends up in autocracy.
Fayose said: “Why didn’t they take me to London? They obviously know very well that i’ll listen to the man weather his voice is impaired or not. I’ll be able to tell the whole Nigeria the truth.
“ You cannot hang up to power when you are physically unfit. I don’t hate him but leadership must come with a certain level of strength. If you don’t have the strength, you cannot govern a state. Somebody who is not fit cannot help the masses. We need a president that is hale and hearty.â€
Speaking on the proposed punishment for some of the erring members of the party, he said Kashamu, is a black leg in PDP.
“How can you be a party man and still be a black leg in our party? Since he has been elected to senate, he cannot speak a simple English there. I have never seen my friend stood up in senate to make a contribution since he was elected.
“ I am sure as we make progress, this meeting we will make far reaching decision on the way forward. I cannot be with a woman who is sleeping with another man in my bed room. Kashamu is a black leg in our party. If you are with him, you cannot be with us.â€
