The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said it is talking to Senator Buruji Kashamu to drop his gubernatorial ambition and support Ladi Adebutu, who is the Ogun State candidate recognised by the party for the 2019 poll.
The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr Diran Odeyemi, who gave the indication in an interview in Lagos, said although the case was in court, the party had not foreclosed the option of a political solution to the crisis.
Kashamu is recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission as the governorship candidate of the PDP in Ogun State while the national leadership of the party supports Adebutu as the party’s candidate.
This has led to a major crisis threatening the chances of the party in the 2019 poll in the state.
Odeyemi stated, “We are already in court concerning Buruji Kashamu’s recognition by INEC as the PDP governorship candidate in Ogun State. We have been given January 14 for judgment. But we are not foreclosing the option of a political solution. We are talking among ourselves and we are talking to Buruji. Nothing is impossible in politics.
“Adebutu is the candidate recognised by the PDP. The political solution we are seeking is how Buruji will embrace Adebutu as the governorship candidate. We are seeking legal redress and political solution at the same time. But if the political solution works out, the case in court will be withdrawn.
“As we are now, both Buruji and Adebutu are campaigning and asking people to vote for the PDP. We believe Adebutu will emerge the candidate at the end of the day. Buruji will not have problem supporting him. We hope and believe that Adebutu will emerge. He is the candidate of the party and we hope Buruji will support him.”
Odeyemi believed that the crisis would be resolved and the candidate of the PDP would win the election.
He argued that the people of Ogun State were no longer satisfied with the All Progressives Congress government currently leading the state.
Kashamu, however, said he was not aware of any political overtures being made to him regarding the governorship ticket.
Kashamu, who spoke to our correspondent through his media aide, Austine Oniyokor, said the PDP must be just and fair to achieve anything with its political solution.
He said, “We are not aware of any overtures being made to Senator Buruji Kashamu. However, we are not averse to political solution but such must be based on fairness, equity and justice.
“Some of the PDP chieftains have shown their bias for Adebutu and demonstrated their hatred for Senator Kashamu. So, it is doubtful that these people can arrange any political solution to the crisis.”
Credit: punchng.com
