The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State deepened on Saturday as the state executive members loyal to Senator Buruji Kashamu expelled former Governor Gbenga Daniel from the party.
Others expelled also include a serving member of the House of Representatives representing Remo Federal Constituency, Ladi Adebutu; a former member of Ogun State House of Assembly, Tolu Bankole; and the factional chairman of the party in the state, Sikirulai Ogundele.
The Ogundele faction had, on Friday, announced Kashamu’s suspension, even as he represents Ogun East Senatorial District in the Senate.
Others suspended alongside him are: the factional chairman of PDP in the state, Bayo Dayo; and the state secretary, Semiu Sodipo.
Also suspended by the Sikirulai faction were a member of the state House of Assembly, Bowale Solaja; former national auditor of PDP, Fatai Adeyanju; the zonal secretary, Pegba Otemolu; Daisi Akintan and Mr. Segun Seriki.
However, Bayo Dayo, while addressing a press conference at the party secretariat in Abeokuta on Saturday, described their suspension as “highly unacceptable, ridiculous, preposterous and (an) affront on constituted authority of the party in Ogun State.”
He noted that Ogundele and his members lacked the power to suspend anyone, because they have no authority or legal basis to act.
“Section 57(7) of PDP Constitution does not grant a state executive committee the power to discipline any member of NEC, (to) which I and Kashamu belong,” Dayo said.
He alleged that former Governor Gbenga Daniel, as well as Ladi Adebutu, Sikirulai Ogundele and others have, in the last few weeks, been negotiating with the All Progressives Congress and the Alliance for Democracy on how they would decamp.
He said, “What they are currently doing is to weaken the PDP and cause deep disaffection within it before moving again to their next preferred party. We shall no longer condone this gross misconduct and anti-party activities.
“Consequently, the state executive committee has examined their actions and concluded that it is continually inimical to sustenance and progress of PDP in Ogun State.
“We therefore announce as follows: that Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, Sikirulai Ogundele and Tolu Bankola are guilty of acts of insubordination, willful undermining of the party, anti-party activities, malicious damage of party infrastructure, physical harm to party officials and impersonation.
“They are hereby expelled from the party and cease to be members of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State and the entire federation.
“The general public is hereby notified.”
In attendance at the declaration are the zonal secretary of PDP, Pegba Otemolu; deputy state chairman, Boye Adesina; and the state woman leader, Mrs. Remi Adesoji.
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