It was literarily triumphal return for the former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, (OGD), as he re-joined the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) from where he defected to the Labour Party, (LP) about a year ago.
For over eight hours, Abeokuta, the state capital literally stood still, as PDP supporters and his teeming fans stormed the state secretariat to welcome him and others back into the party’s fold.
It was a hectic day for both policemen, officials of the Nigerian Civil Defence Corps, men and officers of the state-owned Traffic, Road Compliance and Enforcement, (TRACE) and others controlling both human and traffic movements.
Recall that Daniel ruled the state like a colossus for eight years on the platform of the PDP until things went sour with him and the leadership of the party towards the twilight of his administration.
While claiming that he remained in the PDP, Daniel’s actions and inactions pointed to the fact that he was working against the party and was accused of financing the Peoples Party of Nigeria, where his teeming supporters contested the last general elections.
But on Tuesday, October 21, 2014, during the unification rally to welcome him and several others, Daniel said he had returned to the PDP for good where he hopes to actualize the dreams of the people of the state in 2015.
Symbolically, the rally signified the end of all political differences among the various contending interests and groups within the party.
Prominent among Daniel’s confidants, who returned with him to PDP were governorship aspirants, Alhaji Sarafa Tunji-Ishola, Mr. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka and Chief Remi Bakare.
Comrade Niyi Osoba-led State Executive Committee of the LP in Ogun State including his secretary, Comrade Deji Kalejaiye among others also returned with him.
House of Representatives members, as well as those in the state House of Assembly on the platform of the PPN and the APC, who had earlier defected from their parties to PDP were also present. They included, Hon. Sunday Adewusi, Hon. Remmy Hazzan among others.
Others loyalists of the former governor across the 20 local government areas of the state including Chief Sule Onabiyi, daughter of the late winner of the June 12 1993 Presi dential election, Chief (Mrs) Lola Abiola-Edewor, Chief Iyabo Apampa among prominent former PDP chieftains also returned.
It was also a great re-union for Daniel and the chairman, Mobilization and Organization Committee of the PDP in the South West, Prince Buruji Kashamu, whose political relationship strained shortly before the last general elections.
The rally which held at the state headquarters of the party, also attracted dignitaries, including the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Dimeji Bankole; former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye.
Others are National Auditor of the PDP, Alhaji Fatai Adeyanju; Zonal Secretary of PDP in the zone, Chief ‘Pegba Otemolu, Senator Lekan Mustapha, former deputy governors, Ahaji Rafiu Ogunleye and Alhaja Salmat Badru, former chairman of the party in the state, Elder, Joju Fadairo, former Ogun East senatorial chairman, Alhaji Agboola Alausa; former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Chief (Mrs) Titi Shodunke-Oseni among others.
Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Fadairo, in his opening remarks told the gathering that the rally was a child of necessity “to let the people of the state in particular and Nigeria in general know that crisis in the state chapter of the party was over”.
“God has done for us what we all thought could never happen. The inability of our party to manage our internal crisis in the build-up to the 2011 elections was responsible for the loss.
“PDP is a party with great endowments. We are now a better party to beat in 2015.W e must now embark on a journey of patience, peace and endurance. We must work together as a team for us to surmount challenges ahead”.
Bayo Dayo, in his address as the state chairman of the party assured both the returnees and other members of the party in the state that they would enjoy equal rights.
According to him, any returnee aspiring to contest any political office would be given automatic waiver. “Our coming together today has put an end to all bickering among members. All members must remain united. PDP is a party of all without discrimination,” he said.
Adeyanju, who spoke on behalf of the national chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, said the unification rally was an end to the APC reign in the state, expressing confidence that PDP would form the next government in the state.
Daniel, who could be described as the big masquerade, while delivering his speech interspersed with songs, drumming, booming of dane guns, proverbs, dances and others also said the rally had put skeptics wrong.
His words: “After we lost the 2011 governorship election, people appealed to us to settle our differences and re-unite. We thank God today we have reconciled our differences.
“From today onward, PDP has taken over the reins of power in the state. The 2011 election was not won by the people in power, but we lost due to internal crisis within the party. Today’s event has signified the end of crisis in our party.
Daniel, who also used the rally to speak on the state’s debt profile, said contrary to the allegation that his government left N48bn debt, it only left N3.7bn debt in 2011.
The ex- governor also alleged that the current administration in the state had borrowed over N200bn within three years.
Daniel, also announced that the former secretariat of the Labour Party in the state would be handed over to the PDP and later be used as the campaign office for whoever emerges the party’s governorship candidate for the 2015 general elections.
Kashamu, who expressed delight at the unity rally said: “Despite the efforts of our detractors, we are here today welcoming our brothers and sisters who either left us sometimes ago or had been on the sideline back into the party”.
Kashamu, expressed gratitude to God and party faithful for the turn of events, stressing that history was being made.”As you can see for yourself, history is being made here today. I am extremely grateful to the almighty God who has made today possible.
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