Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Senator Buruji Kashamu has said that he is the authentic governorship candidate for next month’s election.
He described the flag bearer recognised by the party’s national leadership as a huge joke, stressing that any candidate not recognised by the electoral umpire is fake.
Kashamu’s running mate, Dr.Reuben Abati, lamented that the National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, erred by declaring Ladi Adebutu as candidate, thereby confusing feeble minded members of the public.
The senator said the court judgment that validated his candidature is biding on the party, hailing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for obeying the court order. He wondered why the PDP, which has been calling for adherence to the rule of law, is violating the court order. Kashamu said Ologbondiyan has only to the nation that PDP believes in illegality, adding that the illegality will not stand. He said: “I operate at the grassroots. I have done a lot for my people. I am a fighter. I believe in justice. I can shed my blood for truth and justice. I am not afraid of any PDP NWC. I will fight for my right.”
Kashamu added:”The people of Ogun are well educated, civilised and wise. They do not believe in illegality. They believe in justice. They know how to vote for the right people. You cannot deceive them. I love my people. My people love me. My people will vote for me. They will vote for PDP.” Kashamu emphasised that an illegal state executive committee cannot conduct a lawful primary, stressing that, although the national chairman and Secretary should submit the name of candidate to INEC, the name can only be generated by the legal executive committee chaired by Adebayo Dayo.
Describing Adebutu as an interloper and a joke, he said: “What has Adebutu done in his life? If Adebutu is governor, what can he do? If I take over the state today, my government will not be holding the local government allocation. If the state government hijack their money, how can they succeed? Local government and party leaders will run the councils based on need analysis.” Kashamu allayed the fear of party members about the effect of the crisis on election, assuring that it will be resolved.
He added: “If I and Adebutu cannot resolve the issue, we will leave it to the court. Anybody that wins with carry on. But, today, I am the authentic candidate.
“Adebutu should stop calling himself the candidate. I am the candidate. The police has recognised me and given me an orderly. The SSS has given me their men to protect me. Adebutu can campaign for the party, but not as candidate.” The flag bearer blamed the NWC for escalating the logjam, saying that, instead of calling the two sides and uniting the party, they decided to take sides. He said he has directed his vast followers to cooperate with the people on the other side by voting for the PDP during the election, assuring that future court verdicts will still favour him.
