A former gubernatorial contender under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun, Dr Akin Ogunbiyi on Tuesday described as misleading and unfounded insinuation that he signed an agreement to withdraw for the flag bearer of the party in the September 22 governorship poll, Senator Ademola Adeleke.
This was contained in a press statement signed by the director of Ogunbiyi’s campaign team, Mr Dare Ojo, which was forwarded to the Nigerian Tribune in Osogbo, Osun State capital.
According to the statement, “our attention has been drawn to a misinformation going around that Dr Akin Ogunbiyi has signed an agreement and withdraw for Senator Ademola Adeleke. We wish to put the records straight. Shortly after the gubernatorial primary election, the National Working Committee (NWC) of our great party met and decided on appropriate compensation to assuage Dr Ogunbiyi and his teeming supporters for the general elections.”
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“At another NWC meeting of 29th July, 2018 led by the party national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus with the following in attendance: Dr Ogunbiyi, Senator Adeleke, Osun BOT members led by Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun, Dr Olu Alabi and HE Erelu- Obada, all the co-aspirants that stepped down for him; the national chairman presented the terms of settlement to Senator Adeleke.
“He remarked that given the circumstances of the primary election, the offer in the wisdom of the leadership was “fair and equitable” in resolving the ongoing crisis. The key decision points were that the deputy governor slot will be ceded to Dr Akin Ogunbiyi group and West Senatorial ticket be automatically conceded to Dr Akin Ogunbiyi himself.”
“Our distinguished Senator concurred to the agreement with a promise to get Hon. Adeogun to resign and requested for three possible names out of which his group will make a choice in replacement. A list of three possible candidates was submitted. 48 hours after in spite of his commitment, Hon Adeogun didn’t relinquish the position indicating that Senator Ademola Adeleke group have not yielded to the terms of the reconciliation as put forward by the national leadership of the party.”
The statement further added that “at the instance of the national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, Dr Ogunbiyi and Senator Adeleke had another meeting on the night of 2nd August 2018 with a BOT member to conclude on the issue. The Senator gave a firm promise to be honourable and get Hon Adeogun’s resignation. The Senator, in fact, requested the intervention of the party leadership to prevail on Hon Adeogun on this issue.”
“A joint press conference was agreed to be addressed by Dr Ogunbiyi and Senator Adeleke at the meeting for the following day. Only for the Hon Adeogun to go underground and become incommunicado! As at the time of this release, Hon Adeogun has neither resigned nor sighted anywhere. No agreement has been signed by Dr Akin Ogunbiyi with anyone.”
While maintaining that Ogunbiyi had stated in clear terms that he is not leaving the PDP under any circumstance, the statement stressed that “we are still optimistic that reasons will prevail and the crisis will be amicably resolved in the best interest of our great party and the good people of Osun State.
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