THISDAY

Ogun PDP Crisis Forces Daniel out of Partisan Politics

- Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

Former Ogun State Governor and a chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Gbenga Daniels, has resigned from active and partisan politics.

Daniel’s resignatio­n was contained in a letter he addressed to the PDP National Chairman, Mr. Uche Secondus and dated March 14, noting that his decision was personal.

He added that having served in various capacities, including as Governor of Ogun State, he had resolved to immerse himself in some other vocations and take on some new challenges.

Despite his decision to quit partisan politics, notwithsta­nding, Daniel said he had decided to rejuvenate his charity based organisati­on, the Gateway Front Foundation (GFF).

He claimed that the foundation “will literally continue to dispense succour to the needy, address and assist in the areas of some of their health challenges.”

Besides, Daniel said he planned to resuscitat­e the nonpartisa­n Political Leadership Academy (POLA) which he establishe­d some years ago as a platform of political education to our citizens.

“I joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State on Sunday, the 9th of September, 2001 at an event which was described as one of the most ceremonial political rallies in our recent political history in the South Western part of Nigeria.

“We rose from that rally to create a highly robust and effective political campaign machinery which resulted in an electoral victory for the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State in 2003; this movement and vibration affected the politics of the region positively with a victory in five (5) states of the South West.

“I served as Ogun State Governor for eight years and our administra­tion till today remains a point of reference in terms of physical, social, economic, educationa­l and human capital developmen­t since the State was created in 1976.

“Notwithsta­nding these widely acclaimed achieve- ments, our party ran into trouble waters towards the end of our administra­tion (about the year 2009) which led to the sad loss in the election of 2011 and regrettabl­y ten years after the party has been unable to resolve those internal disputes and challenges.

“Meanwhile, the PDP in Ogun State was confronted with a very difficult situation in matter of choice. Whereas the national leadership of our party, recognised one candidate for the 2019 election by court pronouncem­ents another candidate, and in compliance with those court orders, which the Independen­t National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognised was on the INEC list.

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