Ogun APC Crisis Latest: Osoba, Kaka, others at crossroad as Akinlade defects to PDP The internal crisis rocking the ruling party in Ogun state, All Progressive Congress is yet to be over as the ugly development orchestrated by power tussle over who controls the party machinery has taken a new turn. Ijebu News Xtra magazine reliably gathered that the embattled party leader in the state, Chief Olusegun Osoba as well as other aggrieved members of the national assembly who had already been shoved aside in the scheme of things were now in a dilemma over their next political steps as the 2015 general election approaches. It could be recalled that there were two congresses held in the state towards the build up to the national convention of the party in Abuja, after which those loyal to the incumbent Governor, Sen Ibikunle Amosun had their ways. Though, the other faction loyal to Chief Osoba cried blue murder, but the National Executives of the party confirmed the legitimacy of the state executives loyal to Amosun. There has been political power game between the two camps since. However reliable information has it that the Osoba faction which was recently linked to an underground alliance with PDP is now at crossroad over which platform would they fly their ambition in 2015. In Osoba camp are the three Senators representing the state, Gbenga Kaka, Akin Odunsi and GbengaObadara as well as six House of Representatives members and some state Assembly members. Osoba has since denied any move to PDP, but he recently confirmed a new step linking him and his loyalists to the newly resuscitated Social Democratic Party. The APC chieftain opened up then that he was actually meeting with the leadership of the SDP majority of who are Afenifere leaders. In a new development, the National Executive Committee of APC presided by Chief Oyegun was said to have had its maiden meeting in Abuja on June 26th frowned at the internal crisis rocking some of the APC controlled states, with clear reference to Ogun state. Ijebu News Xtra magazine gathered that after serious deliberation, the NEC of the party formed a high-power 7-man delegation to look into the crisis and revert to it in two weeks’ time. Members of the Committee according to sources include Atiku Abubakar, Audu Ogbe, Rotimi Ameachi, Babatunde Fashola and three others. The committee which is expected to convince Osoba and his loyalists to have a rethink on ditching the party will be putting forward a proposal of 60% to 40% Executives in the state while the aggrieved national assembly members will be guaranteed their return tickets. A source close to the Osoba camp however disclosed to us that the new steps will be discussed with its pros and cons. Meanwhile, as the NEC of APC reconciling the warring camps in the party, one of the party House of Representatives members, Hon Abiodun Akinlade few days back announced his departure from APC, as he dumped the party to join PDP. Akinlade, who is said to be nursing a governorship ambition in 2015, is the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Science and Technology. The Speaker of the House of Representatives Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, had read Akinlade’s defection letter on the floor of the House amid jubilation by PDP members, who rushed to embrace him (Akinlade). His letter read, “This is to formally inform you and the leadership of the House of Representatives of my intention to join the Peoples Democratic Party.“This decision is premised on the fact that the Action Congress of Nigeria, on which platform I won election into the House in 2011, has merged with other parties to form APC.“The Certificate of Registration of the ACN has since been returned to the Independent National Electoral Commission. “You may note that I won election into the House in 2003 and 2007 on the platform of the PDP but got re-elected in 2011 on the platform of the defunct ACN for the third term. “In line with Section 68(g) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, many of my constituents and I resolved not to be part of the subsequent merger that was negotiated between the leadership of the defunct ACN and some other political parties which led to the eventual registration of the APC.“I, however, thank the leadership of the defunct ACN for giving me the opportunity to serve on its platform.” It could be recalled that Akinlade was at a point linked with the Labour Party and was touted to be the likely consensus candidate of the party to run for the governorship in the 2015 elections before his sudden exit to PDP.
Posted on: Thu, 17 Jul 2014 06:28:55 +0000
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