The Peoples Democratic Party leadership have intensified efforts to lure a Olusegun Osoba led faction away from the All Progressives Congress.
Our correspondent gathered that the calculation of the PDP was that the defection of the former governor and his supporters would shore up Jonathan’s chances in the 2015 presidential election in the state.
The crisis in Ogun State’s APC remains intractable, as efforts to reconcile the warring parties one led by the incumbent governor, Ibikunle Amosun and the Olusegun Osoba has been futile.
While addressing his supporters,Chief Osoba said, “As I stand before you, I swear before God and Jesus Christ, my Lord, I promise you all that the issue of forgiveness is no more. If you stand firmly as a warrior, that is enough for me; if you are ready, there is no more room for reconciliation. If thousands of people prostrate; it is what you want that I will do; it is what you say that I will say; I will stand where you stand; I want to appeal to you, don’t be distracted.”
Buoyed by this statement and the fact that Osoba, the state Deputy Governor, Prince Segun Adesegun, who is a political godson of the former governor, and all members of the National Assembly from the state, boycotted the APC national convention in Abuja, the PDP is stepping up its overture to the group.
Senator representing Ogun East, Adegbenga Kaka, said, “For now, I can only speak for myself. I am sure we (in the Osoba faction) will meet, harmonise our position and make it known at the appropriate time.”
Kaka, who has been speaking on behalf of the group, confirmed that the PDP was among the political parties which had made overtures to him.
The senator, in a telephone interview with one of our correspondents in Abuja on Sunday, said he was not speaking for other members of the group.
He, however, said that he was confident that the group members would soon meet to harmonise positions.
According to him, what he is after is what is best for his people, adding that he will not be stampeded out of the APC.
Asked if the ruling PDP had made overtures to the group, he said, “Not only the PDP, everybody has been approaching me; all parties have been approaching me.
“I am a progressive to the core, even the Labour Party, the UPN, everybody but I am looking out for what is in the best interest of my people so those who are thinking that I am going to leave the APC for them are kidding.”
“I am not moving to any party. I am still in the APC. I am not moving to any party, let alone the Peoples Democratic Party.
“What we are fighting for is justice and democracy, PDP does not represent that for anybody to say I am sure the person is being uncharitable to me. I remain in the APC and I don’t run away from a fight. We will fight until justice is done. We will fight until what we believe is just is done.”