More Troubles For Adebutu As Daniel, Bakare Set To Take Over Kashamu's Political Empire

 

Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji 

ABEOKUTA - Against the backdrop in some quarters that the political structure of Senator Buruji Kashamu and PDP leadership might have finally fallen into the hands of Hon. Ladi Adebutu following the demise of Senator Kashamu, strong indications emerged on Tuesday that, a former governor of Ogun state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel may have been appointed as the new leader of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun state. 

Daniel, a former governor under PDP between 2003 and 2011 in the state and former Director-General to President Goodluck Jonathan Campaign re-election fell out with the party immediately Senator Buruji Kashamu took over the structure of the party. 

Although, Daniel and Kashamu who were sometime sworn enemies had settled their differences long before the demise of the Senator. 

However, it was believed in some quarters since the demise of billionaire business mogul and politician, Buruji Kashamu, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, a political enemy of the late Senator might have the total grip of PDP in the state. 

Infact, some political loyalists of Senator Kashamu told THE ENCOUNTER that, some top associates of Hon. Adebutu had already started reaching out to some notable members of the Omo-Ilu foundation, a charity organization founded by late Kashamu and members of the State Executive Council of PDP loyal to Kashamu to team up with Lado group. 

But, fact emerged on Tuesday that, Senator Buruji Kashamu, had made moves to cede his political structure to the former governor and his political ally, Dr. Remilekun Bakare few days before his death.

Kashamu, who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s candidate in 2019 governorship poll, had died from coronavirus complications on Saturday in Lagos.

He was buried on Sunday at his Ijebu-Igbo residence in Ijebu North Local Government Area on Sunday.

A top source within Kashamu's political circle told THE ENCOUNTER NEWS that, an official announcement would soon be made to announce Daniel as the leader of PDP in the state and Remilekun Bakare as the chairman, Apex Caucus of the party. 

But on Tuesday, when the former governor paid a condolence visit to the deceased’s family at Ijebu-Igbo where he revealed Kashamu’s last minutes move to handover his political structure to him.

A statement signed by Daniel’s media aide, Mr Steve Oliyide, quoted Daniel to have said that Kashamu had sent emissary to him, while on sickbed, to discuss the handing over.

The former governor said he played down political discussion during the visit, rather he asked the representatives to go and pray for his survival.

Daniel was said to have spoken against the backdrop of an earlier statement by Dr. Remi Bakare who spoke on behalf of the Buruji Kasamu’s political structure.

Bakare, while welcoming Daniel and his entourage, said that “it was the wish of the late Senator to have his structure handed over to OGD.”

In his response, OGD said: “It was true that Buruji sent a delegation to me last Wednesday 4th August, 2020, who came to discuss with me about his wish that I should provide further leadership for the political structure which he built and has nurtured over the years.

“When the representatives, which include his lawyer, came, I discouraged political discussion and pleaded with them to all go and pray for his survival.

“Unfortunately, he passed on few days after.”

While commiserating with the family, Daniel said: “I’m not here to play politics but to commiserate with you the family.