23rd March, 2015
Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta
As the presidential election draws near many people in the country, particularly, in Abeokuta, capital city of Ogun state and hometown of the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole are watching the body language of former number four citizen, are of the opinion that he is planning to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
The people premise their claims on the romance of the former Speaker with the former governor of the state and a chieftain of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Chief Olusegun Osoba.
It would be recalled that the former Speaker has been at loggerhead with the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP since the governorship primary election.
At a time, Bankole was declared the governorship candidate of the SDP, having been certified qualified by the national leadership of the party.
However, the state arm of the party led by Bayo Dayo, in a press conference, denied ever seeing or recognising Bankole as one of its governorship aspirant.
The matter degenerated to serious issue that the leadership of the party in the state had to go to Abuja every other day before the matter was finally be resolved.
A former governorship candidate of the Peoples Party of Nigeria, PPN in the last election in 2011, Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka was given the ticket to run for the governorship seat on the platform of the PDP in the April 11, 2015 governorship election.
Bankole has since been linked to dumping the party, which resulted in some of his supporters defecting to Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN, when it was rumoured that he was planning to switch party.
He was also reported to be in talks with the former governor of the state and chieftain of the SDP, Aremo Olusegun Osoba when the hunt for a credible candidate that can match the incumbent was ongoing.
PM News reported several meetings between Osoba and the former Speaker’s father, Chief Alani Bankole, a.k.a Caterpillar concerning the matter.
Speaking through his media aide, Omodu Morgan in Abeokuta on Sunday, Bankole faulted the speculation and some media reports on the matter,stressing that, such report was not correct, as he still remain a bonafide member of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
According to him, “our attention has been drawn to a speculation and some media report of a defection to Social Democratic Party.
“I have not defected to Social Democratic Party, SDP, as been speculated and reported in some media. The report contain of no iota of truth. I am still a member of Board of Trustees, BOT and National Executive Council member of Peoples Democratic Party,” the former Speaker maintained.
Bankole stressed that his loyalty remain intact with the PDP and also remained the only last man standing of former Speakers of the House of Representatives who have defected, pointing out that, he has no plan to dump the party.
He disclosed that he owes no grudges with anybody as been speculated in some quarters. In regards to national politics and politicking, he hinted that, he remains firm and committed to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party.
“I remain committed to my party, Peoples Democratic Party. I have no grudges against anybody and I remain a loyal party member and I have to repeat again, I have not defected to SDP or any other party,” he declared.