The internal crisis in the Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has worsened, following the demise of a chieftain of the party in the state, Senator Buruji Kashamu, in 2021.
In a suit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja by a member of the group, Prince Adeleke Shittu, the plaintiff said the late Kashamu-led group was given a consent judgment on June 22, 2021.
He said Schedule “C” of the terms of the judgment, dated on March 18, 2021, showed that some public offices were exclusively reserved for Kashamu’s group.
The plaintiff forwarded some letters to PDP National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, and copied the party’s Chairman in the Southwest and Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, and other organs of the party.
Shittu said the group nominated two aspirants for the House of Representatives ahead of the 2023 general election.
They are: Taiwo Kabir Shote, for Ijebu-Ode/Odogbolu/Ijebu North East Federal Constituency, and Dawodu Kazeem Korede, for Ado-Odo/Ota Federal Constituency.
The plaintiff said seven slots were allotted to the group for Ogun State House of Assembly.
He said the Kashamu group named the seven persons to fill the slots. They are: Prince Abdulrasheed Kashamu (Ogun East), Oluwaseun Owolabi Oretuga (Ijebu North East), Muyideen Lawal (Sagamu, Ogun Central): Azeez Eniola Durodola (Ewekoro), John Oluwatosin Funsho (Obafemi/Owode, Ogun West): Mrs. Alaba Sekinat Adewunmi (Yewa South) and Sanni Wasiu Boladale (Yewa North).
During the hearing, Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon of the Federal High Court in Abuja presided over the case while other parties attended the hearing.
Shituu stressed that in opting for the setting up of a National Reconciliation and Strategy Committee, chaired by former Senate President Bukola Saraki, all aggrieved PDP members were called upon to foster lasting unity within the party’s rank and file.
The two contenders in disputes – Kashamu and Ladi Adebutu groups – resolved the issue raised in the suit and executed the settlement agreement, he said.
The plaintiff added that both parties signed the terms of agreement based on the nomination to be executed by the party’s exco, the concerned parties and other stakeholders to avoid the collapse of the PDP in Ogun State.
He said the Kashamu group named Dawodu Kazeem Korede as the sole candidate for Ado-Odo/Ota Federal Constituency. According to him, the consent judgment was also sent to the working committee, Auditor, Financial Secretary and all relevant stakeholders’ bodies.
