Ahead of the August 9 governorship election in Osun State, a group within the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, Platform for Equity and Justice, has warned President Goodluck Jonathan not to impose any governorship aspirant on the party.
The warning comes on the heels of the claim by a governorship aspirant, Alhaji Isiaka Adeleke on Thursday that his joining the race was on the prompting of President Jonathan.
But in a statement issued on Friday, the group advised President Jonathan to be neutral in the tussle for the party’s governorship ticket, saying that imposition was against the tenets of the party.
The statement, which was signed by its coordinator, Mr. Godwin Akesan, said imposition of any candidate would destroy the peace and unity currently being enjoyed within the party.
The statement said, “Let all the aspirants participate in a free and fair primary. Imposition will destroy the fragile peace within the party.
“Our President is a respecter of the rule of law. We know he will not be a party to the alleged imposition plot being hatched by some people, who are using the name of the President to authenticate their ambition”.
In reaction to the PEJ’s position, the Director, Media and Publicity, Isiaka Adeleke Campaign Organisation, Mr. Taiwo Akeju, on Friday said, “Nobody is dropping the name of the President for electoral favour but the truth must be told that Osun people are earnestly yearning for Adeleke. Go to Osun and ask and see things for yourself.
“Adeleke has integrity, credibility, experience and he cuts across all the socio-political strata of the state. This is why concerned stakeholders have decided to draft him to contest. Adeleke is an appealing brand”.
Speaking on the matter yesterday, the state PDP chairman, Alhaji Gani Olaoluwa, said the party had not received any information from the Presidency signifying that Adeleke had the blessing of Jonathan to contest the election.
“We don’t have such information from the Presidential Villa, Abuja. We don’t have such information from PDP national headquarters in Abuja. If there would be a consensus, all the aspirants and stakeholders would have to agree and have an affirmation”, Olaoluwa said.
