Leaving PDP has never ever crossed my mind – Agbaje

 

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in Lagos state, Jimi Agbaje, has debunked reports that he has left the party.

According to the three-time governorhip candidate of the party, no one can force him to leave PDP.

His position was made known in a statement by Felix Oboagwina, his Director of Media and Publicity.

“I have never discussed with anyone any plan to dump PDP, neither has such a prospect crossed my mind…“There is no reason for it. It is uncalled for,” he said.

According to Agbaje, rumour mongers who want to tarnish his reputation, are responsible for the claims. He also made it clear that he wouldn’t leave the party, despite his disagreement with some party leaders.

“For a party that has twice accorded me the honour of running on its platform, I should be regarded as uncharitable to say I am abandoning PDP now,” he added.

“Suffice to say that Chief Layi Ogunbambi’s claim of being denied funds as Director-General of Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Council in Lagos State amounted to attempting to build something on nothing. For starters, the position he lays claim gives him no locus standi as no such formal position existed in the entire campaign structure of PDP in Lagos or any of the other 35 states.

On campaign funds disbursement, and allegations of pilfering funds, Agbaje said:

“I, as the gubernatorial candidate of the party in Lagos, was Chairman of the PDP Presidential Campaign in Lagos. Mr. Leke Osikoya was the State Campaign Director. The national body recognised and related with us accordingly. The title of Director General was reserved for the national campaign council. If there was an Atiku/Obi Presidential Campaign it would have, at best, been a Support Group.

“Dr. Ogunbanmbi also went to the extent of stating his contributions financially and policy wise to my campaign. This is news to me. May be he should tell the world his financial contributions to my campaigns. There is no time I have ever sat with Dr. Ogunbanmbi to discuss policy issues.”

“I was not given one kobo by the party or the PDP Presidential Candidate for the gubernatorial elections. We ran our campaign from beginning to end on a shoe-string budget. You cannot steal or divert what is not given.”