The factions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State seem to be fed up with rancour as loyalists of the late Buruji Kashamu and Hon. Ladi Adebutu came together at a meeting in Abeokuta on Wednesday.
The factions gathered at the party secretariat in Abeokuta for a reunion.
In attendance were leaders from both factions of the party, including Chief Doyin Okupe, Ladi Adebutu, Aare Tunde Alabi, Prince Segun Seriki and others.
The two factional chairmen of the party, Sikirulahi Ogundele and Samson Bamgbose were also present.
Ogundele said the reunion marked the beginning of a new relationship that would drive the party to power in 2023.
“I am happy that the PDP of 2003 is now back. We are now together in harmony, looking forward to having a united PDP in Ogun State. We are going to get back our mandate from the misrule of the APC, a party that has no blueprint. They just wake up in the morning and embark on any project that comes to their head. They give water or road where not needed. The PDP is the best party so far and we are winning in 2023,” Ogundele stated.
Bamgbose, in his own remarks, expressed optimism that “as God brings us together again, we shall march to victory, stronger than we were in 2004.”
He urged members of the party to work together like in the days of former Governor Gbenga Daniel, saying PDP was zero when OGD came in the buildup to the 2003 election.
“OGD came when PDP was zero in Ogun State, but we were able to conquer those who were in power then. Be ready, we are going to the battlefield. Tell those at home that we are all here. PDP is back,” he emphasised.
Also, Segun Seriki clarified that the only Chairman of the PDP in Ogun State was Ogundele.
He said, “I am telling you that there is only one PDP Chairman in Ogun and that is Ogundele. We are no more bothered about exco, now we are talking about next government in Ogun State. We want Ladi Adebutu to represent us and he is going to win in our name. I congratulate all PDP members, we are taking over government in 2023.”
An elated Doyin Okupe knelt to praise God for the reunion, saying it is happening at God-given time.
Okupe told party leaders in the state that “disagreement is not disloyalty,” adding that “if we don’t disagree, we can’t agree to move forward.
It would be recalled that a reconciliation committee led by former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, had recently brokered peace between the two factions, even as some Kashamu loyalists defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
