The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has ruled out the possibility of endorsement for any of the aspirants seeking the party’s ticket for 2015 governorship election in the state.
The Chairman of Ogun PDP, Chief Adebayo Dayo, refuted speculations that a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, was favoured for the party’s ticket, saying the party was not considering endorsing any of the aspirants.
Dayo told our correspondent that the party would conduct a transparent primary election so that all the aspirants would have a level-playing field.
He said, “I’m not aware that Bankole or any other aspirant has been endorsed. I know that as of today, we have about six aspirants for the governorship race in the Ogun State PDP. I’m just a referee. Nobody has been endorsed and nobody will be endorsed.
“We will follow due process. We are waiting for guidelines from the national secretariat of the party. Once they send it, we will use it for all the aspirants. There will be no endorsement whatsoever. There will be due process. We are going to be transparent, honest and give all aspirants a level-playing field.”
Dayo also ruled out the possibility of the Presidency influencing the choice of the PDP’s governorship candidate in Ogun.
He said, “Mr. President does not give orders on things like this. The President is running his government while our national chairman is running the party. That is how I see it.”
Leaders of the PDP from the six local government areas of the state that make up Ogun-Central senatorial district, had at a meeting in Abeokuta recently endorsed the Bankole’s candidature.
In his response, the former Speaker, who was at the meeting, asked for unity of purpose among leaders and members of the party.
Also, a group, Young Entrepreneurs Forum, has also endorsed Bankole for governorship in 2015.
Others who are linked with the governorship race on the platform of the PDP in the state, include a former Minister of Mines and Steel, Sarafa Ishola; a two term member of the House of Representatives, Kayode Amusan, and businessman, Jide Taiwo.
