Sikirulaihi Ogundele, Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Ogun State chapter, has described the list and shabby conduct of the consensus arrangements of state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, as a show of his emptiness.
Ogundele said the party was not disappointed with the incumbent governor’s behaviour and style “because he is known as one who lacks the drive and vision to deliver the goods to the people of the state who are civilized, educated and have an idea of what good governance is all about.”
The PDP chairman described Amosun’s behaviour and attitude as example of what his APC could offer Nigeria, stating that the same thing is what is happening in all APC-controlled states in the country.
Ogundele, who said APC had nothing more to offer Nigerians, added: “Interestingly, Nigerians have known this and they are ready to vote the party out throughout the country.” He assured that the PDP is poised to provide Nigerians the needed succor.
Meanwhile, protest on Tuesday greeted the consensus arrangement of the state APC as aggrieved party members criticised Governor Amosun over alleged imposition of candidates.
The development was as a result of the denial of about 18 members of the state House of Assembly belonging to the party return tickets to contest the forthcoming primaries.
Only two members – Idowu Olowofuja and Tunde Sanusi – representing Abeokuta South II and Obafemi-Owode state constituencies, were handed return tickets out of 20 APC members in the Assembly.
The consensus arrangement, which commenced on Monday under Amosun’s supervision, led to the selection and adoption of 23 candidates for the House of Assembly elections in the state.
On Tuesday, scores of APC members stormed the Presidential Lodge, Abeokuta, venue of the exercise, protesting alleged imposition of candidates.
The protesters specifically condemned the attempt to impose Lanre Edun, a former chairman of Abeokuta-South Local Government, as the candidate for Abeokuta South Federal Constituency, instead of Afolabi Afuape, the serving Commissioner for Youth and Sports.
Amosun, who tried to calm frayed nerves and describing the protest as beauty of democracy, urged the protesters to accept the outcome of the consensus and tow party line.
He disclosed that the party had already concluded decision on 37 of the 40 candidates for the elections, adding that the remaining three would be unveiled in due course.
“We have 37 out of 40 (consensus candidates). We have finished the breaking news. We are going to Abuja now,” he stated.
Amosun announced himself as APC candidate for Ogun-Central Senatorial District, while saying Tolu Odebiyi, his Chief of Staff, would run for Ogun-West. He added that Senator Lekan Mustapha has been adopted as the party’s candidate for Ogun-East.
The governor also announced consensus candidates for six of the nine federal constituencies in the state.
The ‘lucky’ candidates include Suraj Adekunbi, (Egbado North/Imeko-Afon); Biyi Otegbeye, (Egbado South/Ipokia); Leke Adewolu, (Ifo/Ewekoro); Mikhail Kazzim, (Abeokuta North/Obafemi-Owode/Odeda); Rotimi Rahmon and Biyi Ismail, (Ijebu North/Ijebu North East/Ogun Waterside).
The governor did not announce the candidates for Ijebu-Central, Abeokuta-South and Remo federal constituencies before leaving the venue.
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