OGD: Taking PDP Seriously – Deji Babington-Ashaye

Let us celebrate with ourselves on the declaration of interest by His Excellency, Otunba Justus Gbenga Daniel, former Governor of Ogun State, for the National Chairmanship of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on October 18, 2017. We cannot but to rejoice and identify with such a wonderful personality at this material time whose attributes and experience are the needed ingredients to refreshen PDP, make it a force to reckon with and return the party to winning ways.

Over the years, members of the party and Nigerians had lost hope and clinically labelled the party as being ‘dead’. But the recent expression of interest by OGD has rekindled the hope of millions of PDP members home and away and at the same time left neglible and irrelevant ‘political merchants’ who prefer to use the party for business purposes scrambling for survival and critically depressed especially in the gateway state. They have even resorted to, after boasting they spent N3bn to destroy PDP in 2011, throwing banters on the pages of newspapers and online pages and making desperate efforts to crashland the judiciary through the obtainance of jungle and satanic injunctions against the party’s congresses simply because they don’t want their table of poisnous salad to be upturned. However, ‘we no send dem, we no see dem’.

As it stands, many aggrieved party faithfuls who had dumped the party for another or adopted ‘siddon look’ posture have since started retracing their steps back to the party too. They all shared the same ground “OGD is capable”. “If it is Gbenga Daniel, then we are in”.

The conviction of the enlightened members and wisdom on the streets in this regard favours the emergence of OGD as the national chairman and is purely premised on the following:
1. OGD is a complete democrat.
2. OGD’s political acumen coupled with his progressive principles saw him through the transformation process that drastically changed the fortunes of PDP in Ogun State between 2002 to 2011. If he did it then, he can do it now.
3. OGD has the stature, national and international appeal.
4. OGD is an administrator per excellence haven succeeded in both private and public sphere.
5. OGD’s victory mentality is unquestionable.
6. OGD’s admiration and followership cut across all political parties.
7. OGD’s success in his 8 year rule of Ogun State remains unrivaled, unbeaten and highly significant.
8. OGD is non-discriminatory religioulsy or ethnic wise.
9. OGD maintains a track record of responsibility, accountability and excellent organisational skill.
10. OGD is a visonary and missionary leader.
11. OGD is a peacemaker and well recognised for it.
12. OGD’s laudable contributions to the progressive politics in Nigeria is well noted and appreciated.

I must make it clear at this juncture that I do not stand to gain anything personal in my posture but mainly my concern for the STABILITY, GROWTH and DEVELOPMENT of the party.

I am convinced beyond the very least iota of doubt that if Nigerians are to take PDP seriously this time, a tolerant and understanding man in the mould of OGD is what the party needs to ressurect. He understands the politics of Nigeria far better than any contender.

Certainly, come December 9, 2017, #onOGDwestand#.