THE Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Prince Buruji Kashamu, on Saturday, alleged that the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the South West and the national level was the handiwork of Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose.
But Mr Fayose in his reaction said he would rather ignore the Ogun senator.
Kashamu spoke at a meeting of leaders of the party, where some stalwarts of the All Progressives numbering about 1,500 from the five local governments in the Ogun West Senatorial District, defected to the PDP. The event was held at the headquarters of the Omo Ilu Foundation, Ijebu-Igbo. He urged the faithful across the South-West not to be deceived with his antics of referring to himself as “the leader and the voice of the opposition.”
Kashamu faulted Fayose’s incessant attacks on the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, urging Nigerians to appreciate the effort of government geared towards rebuilding the country.
He said “I say this because I am not unmindful of the antics of a governor in the South-West who claims to have taken on the toga of the “leader or voice of the opposition. Let us not be deceived , he is not.
“As you probably would have known , he is only trying to pull the wool over our eyes in order to cover up his tracks. He seeks to use his rabid attacks on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government as a cover, when called to account for his deeds in and out of office.
“He is the architect of the leadership crisis rocking our party in the South-West and at the national level.
“Let us not allow the arrogance and indiscretion of one man rob us of the good that should come to Yorubaland.”
He charged Nigerians to support the government of the day by offering constructive advice through appropriate channel, submitting that painting a gloomy picture about the economic situation would not in any way assist the country towards national development, while expressing optimism that the country would fared well in due course.
But when contacted, Governor Fayose said he had no reaction to the allegations of Senator Kashamu.
In a telephone conversation, Fayose’s special assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Mr. Lere Olayinka, said “we have no reaction to whatever Senator Kashamu says about our governor.
“He had been speaking and making allegations and we have been ignoring. So, we have no reaction to this too.”
“While I reckon that we may not all agree with the policies of the government all of the time and also appreciate the fact that, as a people, we are faced with some challenges , the way to go is not to seek to pull down the roof on our heads.
“Let us choose courage and faith over confusion and fear. Let us see the cup as half-full instead of half-empty. Let us put on our thinking caps, looks inwards and tap into our innate enterprising abilities as a people and continue to contribute to the growth and development of our dear state native land, for, as it is said, though tongues and tribe may differ, in brotherhood we stand, “ the lawmaker added.
The party leader in Ogun State commended the FG on the cut on import duties on 173 items , saying “that good news is coming on the heels of the recovery of Sambisa Forest and the hugely successful anti-corruption campaign which has saved the country trillions of Naira. With all these, our economy should experience a rebound.
“ I see hope and opportunities . I invite you to share in my optimism. Join me, as equals and partners in progress so that together, we can reposition Yorubaland and achieve our individual and collective goals!”
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Alhaji Ade Aina, promised their readiness to deliver the senatorial district for PDP in the 2019 general elections.