Former Ogun State governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has turned down overtures from President Goodluck Jonathan to woo him back to the PDP, with the ex-governor having apparently made up his mind to defect to the Labour Party (LP).
Daniel, who was the Southwest co-ordinator of the Goodluck Jonathan Presidential Campaign in the last election, dumped the PDP in the thick of the crisis that engulfed the party in the run-up to the 2011 governorship race in Ogun State.
He proceeded to float a rival party-Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) – which presented Mr.Gboyega Isiaka as governorship candidate.
Mr. Isiaka lost the election to the ACN candidate, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.
Effort to have Daniel and his group back in the PDP after the election has failed largely because of his inability to reconcile with the Kashamu faction of the PDP in the state.
He is the chief promoter of the LP in Ogun State ahead of the 2015 election.
He met the National Chairman of the LP, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, in Abuja on Thursday for further talks on his defection to the party.
The two-hour session, according to a source, was attended by some PDP stalwarts, including former commissioners in Daniel’s cabinet.
It was learnt that the search for a new party by the ex-governor was informed by alleged moves to stop Governor Amosun and the new APC from retaining power in the state.
Some of those who accompanied Daniel to the session were ex-PDP Secretary in Ogun State, Dapo Adeyemi; Prince Segun Adekoya; ex-Commissioner Waliu Taiwo; Ladi Adebutu; Segun Seriki; Kola Ogunjobi, among others.
A reliable source said: “At the meeting, Daniel said he can deliver Ogun State to the LP, if his group is given the governorship ticket.
“He also demanded that the party structure should be handed over to his team of defectors.
“These were the two conditions he tabled before the LP to defect if it is convenient for the new party.”
A party source said: “Daniel and his group have approached us for political refuge. I think they are already frustrated in the PDP. There is no way he can regain the control of the PDP.
“Going by his countenance, he was a bit desperate for a party to assert his relevance in the politics of Ogun. He seems to be interested in senatorial ticket in 2015.
“Our National Chairman, Dan Nwanyanwu, did not give any commitment. He said Daniel and his group should come back before the end of next month.
“The relevant party organs would have to discuss and weigh the options on whether Daniel is an asset or a liability to LP.
“The challenge we have is that as a party, this is the first time any set of defectors will dictate to us.”
Source: The Nation
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