re position the party in the State towards electoral victory in 2015.
The
event which took place at Wadata Plaza, National Secretariat of the
Party in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja had in attendance the
National leadership of the Party led by its Chairman, His Excellency,
Alhaji Adamu Muazu and the Senate President, David Mark.
Also on
hand to receive Otunba Daniel were Deputy National Chairman, Prince Uche
Secondus; the Zonal Vice Chairman, Chief Ishola Filani; the National
Secretary, Professor Adewale Oladipupo; the National Publicity
Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh and the Woman Leader, Ambassador Kemi
Chikwe.
'Also present were the Honourable Minister of State for
Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro; the Minister of Police Affairs,
Caleb Olubolade and the governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko
among other notable leaders of the party.
In his speech at the
occasion, Otunba Daniel thanked the leadership of the party most
especially the Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu who he described as a
wonderful personality.
The responsibility of leadership, Daniel
said is not to lead the followers astray and, on this note, praised the
efforts of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr.
Goodluck Jonathan at uniting the country referring to him as the "best
performing President this country has ever had".
"
Today is the
day of unification of the strongest political party in Nigeria. With the
coalition of the two parties, it is getting clearer that PDP is the
Party to beat in the coming elections in Ogun State. What prompted our
decision to join the PDP is a collective resolve not to give the
opposition an undue advantage as was the case in 2011 when intra-party
crisis led to the party's loss at the polls".
Otunba Daniel also
used the occasion to tender public apology to former President of
Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo appealing to him not to abandon his
house. "We are ready to apologise again and again to our Baba to forgive
and forget our past actions and inactions" .
'He also praised
the Chairman, Southwest PDP Mobilisation Committee, Prince Buruji
Kashamu for his efforts at keeping the party together in the State.
In
his speech, the National Chairman of the Party, Alhaji Adamu Muazu
congratulated the former governor on his decision to rejoin the party
saying that the it is like a homecoming. "PDP is your roots. I am
happy today and sincerely welcome you back to your roots. The People's
Democratic Party is a truly democratic Party which is committed to
widening and deepening democracy and shall so do everything possible to
ensure equity, fairness and justice for all its members both old and
new. He also joined Otunba Daniel in appealing to former President
Olusegun Obasanjo to forget the past and create an atmosphere of
reconciliation in order to move the State and the nation forward.
The
Senate President, Senator David Mark in his own remarks could not hide
his excitement at Otunba Gbenga Daniel's return to the PDP declaring
that victory is certain for the party in the State in 2015. "If we are
united, we will be stronger. There is no denying the fact that Ogun
State is home to PDP and so everybody in the State should be in the
PDP".
'Dignitaries at the epoch-making occasion include former
Minister of State for Finance, Aare Jubril Martins Kuye; Senator Ayodeji
Otegbola; Chief Kolapo Ogunjobi; Chief (Mrs.) Iyabode Apampa; Are Tunde
Alabi who represented Chief Sule Onabiyi; Hon. Razak Adeuwusi, member,
representing Yewa North/Imeko Afon Federal Constituency; members of the
Ogun State House of Assembly (both serving and old),
Earlier at
the residence of the former governor in Abuja, it was a grand re-union
of former political allies as party stalwarts exchanged pleasantries,
embraced one another and took turns to speak glowingly on the sterling
qualities of Otunba Daniel as a visionary leader.
'They also
saluted the courage and political wisdom of OGD for taking a very bold
decision to return to the People's Democratic Party (PDP). According to
them, the return of Otunba Daniel will definitely boost the fortunes of
the party not only in Ogun State but the entire Southwest geo-political
zone of the country.
Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye however thanked
all for the loyalty they have shown Otunba Gbenga Daniel over the years.
Labour Party in Ogun State, he said is a very powerful political party
which Daniel has warehoused and nurtured into a winning formula.
The
historic reunion also witnessed the confirmation of Aare Remi Bakare,
former APC Ogun governorship aspirant; Hon. Onadeko Onamusi; a staunch
APC member and former Chairman, Odogbolu Local government; Hon. Ayokunle
Bolujoko; a sitting APC lawmaker in the Ogun State House of Assembly;
Hon. Obafemi Olowooloja and Comrade Niyi Osoba; the Ogun Labour Party
chairman as new entrants.' |
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