Drama as Daniel, others visit PDP headquarters

There was drama at the headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party in Abuja on Tuesday when former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel and some members of the party visited the office.

It was Daniel’s first visit since the 2011 governorship election in Ogun State which was won by Ibikunle Amosun of the Action Congress of Nigeria.

Daniel’s loyalists broke away from the PDP and formed the Peoples Party of Nigeria, which fielded Alhaji Gboyega Isiaka as its governorship candidate.

Daniel was blamed by members of the PDP for allowing the opposition to win the governorship and other elections in the state.

The former governor was at the party’s secretariat with people like Alhaji Sarafa Ishola, Chief Babatunde Osholake, Dr. Kunle Salako, Chief Niyi Adegbenro, Ronke Ogunromi, Mrs. Iyabo Apampa, Segun Odusote and Yemi Akinwunmi.

Investigations by our correspondent indicated that apart from the national chairman of the party, Dr. Bamanga Tukur, other members of its National Working Committee refused to be part of the meeting with Daniel and members of its entourage.

The National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and the National Auditor, Chief Bode Mustapha, declined to join the meeting when they were called upon.

Oyinlola was said to have sneaked out after his first encounter with Daniel, but he was surprised to still meet Daniel and members of his entourage when he (Oyinlola) returned about three hours later.

It was learnt that the NWC members were not comfortable with the presence of Daniel, who they believed campaigned against PDP candidates during the governorship and other elections in the state.

At the meeting with Tukur, Ishola said it was wrong to say that Daniel had left the party just because he worked against its candidates during the elections.

Ishola, a former Minister of Mines and Steel Development and Secretary to the state government under the administration of Daniel, said that contrary to the speculation, Daniel ensured that all PDP members who left the party were brought back during PDP’s membership re-registration last November.

He said, “Otunba Gbenga Daniel never left the PDP for one day. Rather he was the one that brought back aggrieved members and others last November.”