Hon Ladi Adebutu, Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate for 2019 general elections, was a guest on Channels Television where he addressed the state of the matter as it affects PDP in Ogun State. Deji Babington-Ashaye writes:
The Ogun State PDP 2019 gubernatorial candidate, Hon (Dr) Oladipupo Adebutu, has stated the resolve of the PDP leadership in Ogun State to continue in its articulation of the will of the party members and the good people of Ogun State to salvage the particles of the remaining bastardised legacies from APC government in 2019.
He made this assertion while responding to questions on issues affecting Ogun PDP on a live Channels Television program, “Sunrise Daily” on November 2, 2018.
Adebutu said that the group of desperate people who are trying to use the order of the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, to hold the jugular of the party are only out to cause distraction for the party leadership, party members and PDP lovers across the state and distort the smooth electioneering program of the party. He posited that their mission has failed as the party refused to be distracted and its set to forge ahead with its already planned campaign program to commence soon.
“All these litigation here and there from Buruji Kashamu are side attractions and discretionary attractions to punctuate our moving forward. We know their antics and remain steadfast with our campaign to bring succour to the people of the state”, he said.
On INEC’s decision to adhere to the FHC order, the Chairman, House Committee on Rural Development, faulted that order saying the court actually overstepped its bounds and threw caution away by shunning the electoral acts, party constitution and Supreme Court judgement on primary electoral process.
The billionaire business man couldn’t understand how a group of people who never obtained forms from the national organ of the party would sit on a garbage site and cook up a list of names who didn’t participate in all the primaries conducted and a court of the land would issue an order for such a list to be recognised. To him, that order is absurd and funny.
For instance, Adebutu, described the inclusion of the former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, in their infamous list as an insult on Daniel’s personality and unconscionable mockery of all that is decent in democracy and politics.
Because their inglorious step was an illegality in the face of the law, and OGD being a law-abiding citizen, rejected outrightly their greek offer. OGD, according to Adebutu, considered the inclusion of his name on the list as a negation of logical prudence, a political colouration he could not fathom when he didn’t purchase, submit any form of intention and didnt participate in any primary whatsoever.
He, however, added that the national body has already submitted the list of qualified candidates to INEC and, equally, taken steps to challenge the order at the appellate court. “The FHC’s order is not the ultimate decision” he said.
In addition, the federal lawmaker queried the locus standi of Senator Buruji Kashamu and Engineer Bayo Dayo in this case. He wondered why INEC and FHC would grant attention to people whose membership of the party ceased in July 2018 having been expelled by the National Executive Committee of PDP.
Adebutu premised the action to destabilise Ogun PDP on the desperation of the Ogun East Senator to negotiate his escape from the extradition case before the Supreme Court with the APC government.
He assured party faithfuls that Hon Sikirulai Ogundele led Executive Committee is the authentic and nationally recognised body for Ogun State. He enjoined them to be steadfast, calm and ready for the party as it rolls out its campaign machinery soon.
On the possibility of joining another party, Adebutu who was the former Commissioner I, Ogun State Local Government Service Commission under Daniel regime, dismissed any Plan B. He considered the insinuation as the imaginary illusion of the peddlers. It was an alternative he would touch with a very long pole. He expressed confidence of contesting the 2019 elections as the PDP gubernatorial candidate and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the party presidential flagbearer.
Deji Babington-Ashaye is a member of the Ladi Adebutu Democratic Organisation.
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