Ogun PPN Vows Not To Return To PDP

Ogun state chapter of Peoples Party of Nigeria, PPN, has declared that it was not considering any option of returning or reconciling with the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in the build up to the forthcoming local government election in the state as being rumoured.

The party at a meeting of its elders and leaders from all the 20 local government areas in the state held in Abeokuta yesterday, also declared its readiness to contest and win the forthcoming council elections in the state.

Addressing a press conference after the meeting, the Chairman of the Elders’ Council of the party, Chief Kolapo Ogunjobi, debunked speculations that PPN was planning to return to the PDP.

The Elders’ Council of PPN maintained that the “injustice, high-handedness and total disregard for party constitution which forced PPN to come into existence still remained in PDP,” thereby foreclosing the possibility of working out any reconciliation with the PDP.

Supporters of the former governor of the state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel decamped from PDP to form PPN in the build up to the 2011 general elections, following irreconcilable differences and factional strife in PDP at the state level.

The two parties have continued to trade blames over who was responsible for their loss of the governorship and other elected offices in the state during the last general elections.

There was also the rumour that some members of PPN were planning to return to PDP, thus making the PDP to state that those returnees should go back to their respective wards and register as new members.

But Ogunjobi maintained that PPN remains intact and committed to entrenching good governance in the state, stressing that the party had intensified ward meetings and other political activities in preparation for the local government elections.

He also said that it had a crop of experienced politicians in its fold as well as the wherewithal to record landslide victory in the forthcoming council elections in order to end the shenanigans in Ogun State.

Ogunjobi, however, denied any relationship of the party with Daniel, insisting that the former governor remains in PDP.

He urged the “remaining progressives” in the PDP to decamp and join forces with it to liberate the state.

“OGD (Otunba Gbenga Daniel) is in PDP. We don’t want to discuss OGD and we don’t want to discuss PDP and its officials. But OGD is an institution and an icon in the political landscape of Ogun State. Therefore, if he is pitching his tent with any party, he is an asset. If he joins the PPN, he would be more than welcome,” he stated.

The PPN acknowledged the efforts of well-meaning people, “who have expressed genuine concern to reconcile PDP and PPN in the state”, but said it had, “decided to keep its flag flying and keep the hope of our people alive for good governance.”

The party resolved that its membership registration in all the wards across the state will begin in earnest.

“We have resolved to move forward and we implore all the progressive still PDP, as well as other progressive in other parties to join us in this process,” the communiqué added.

Meanwhile, in a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the PPN commended President Goodluck Jonathan, saying it was satisfied with the President’s performance so far within the last 100 days in office.

“As a party that played a frontline role in the election victory of our dear President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, we have assessed his 100 days in office and we are satisfied with his performance so far. We therefore congratulate Mr. President and his team on the journey,” the party stated.

—Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta