Image caption: Hon George Gbadegesin Ogunlade
Ogbomoso North: New twist as party chairman, Ogunlade, picks form too
Adebayo ADELEKE
The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogbomoso North local government has taken another dimension as the party chairman in the council area George Gbadegesin Ogunlade has also picked expression of interest form to contest the chairmanship election.
Previously, seven aspirants had picked form and incidentally screened by a committee headed by the party chairman, Ogunlade.
The contest meanwhile had mainly been between the incumbent chairman, Akanji Kabiru Ayoade, and his vice, Adija Oritoke Aremu a.k.a. Rainbow, with the battle degenerating into fracas during a meeting of party elders at Dr Saka Balogun house Tuesday as party executive committee members allegedly disrupted proceeding, hurling abusive language at the leaders whom they accused of bias.
The party chairman Ogunlade was rumoured to have been penciled down for vice chairmanship position in a joint ticket with Aremu which he however denied.
It was said he initially eyed the post but was prevailed upon to deputize Aremu.
Debunking the report Wednesday he told ogbomosoinsightonline.com he dropped the idea due to the stringent condition involved such as paying N1.3m for nomination form and having to resign his position as party chairman.
However Ogunlade confirmed to ogbomosoinsightonline.com Monday that he had picked the nomination form to contest the chairmanship election.
“What happened to your earlier stand?” He was asked.
He retorted: ” As a party member l have every right to also vie for the position. l had already collected form on Friday and resigned my position as party chairman. I had written the party hierarchy in Ibadan and at 8am this morning l officially handed over to the vice-chairman, the secretary and youth leader. I am fully in the race now.”
“Perhaps you will be supported to settle the dispute as neutral candidate?” He was further asked, to which he noted, “God’s will be done.”
It is now a three-horse race among the incumbent council chairman, Ayoade; incumbent vice chairperson, Rainbow; and party chairman, Ogunlade.
