EX-OGUN GOV. OTUNBA GBENGA DANIEL RETURNS TO PDP ...APPEALS TO OBJ TO FORGET THE PAST

Former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, together with some of his supporters from the Labour Party on Wednesday, formally returned to the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in a move to re-position the party in the State towards electoral victory in 2015. 

The event which took place at Wadata Plaza, National Secretariat of the Party in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja had in attendance the National leadership of the Party led by its Chairman, His Excellency, Alhaji Adamu Muazu and the Senate President, David Mark. Also on hand to receive Otunba Daniel were Deputy National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus; the Zonal Vice Chairman, Chief Ishola Filani; the National Secretary, Professor Adewale Oladipupo; the National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh and the Woman Leader, Ambassador Kemi Chikwe. 

Also present were the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro; the Minister of Police Affairs, Caleb Olubolade and the governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko among other notable leaders of the party.

In his speech at the occasion, Otunba Daniel thanked the leadership of the party most especially the Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu who he described as a wonderful personality. The responsibility of leadership, Daniel said is not to lead the followers astray and, on this note, praised the efforts of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan at uniting the country referring to him as the "best performing President this country has ever had".

"Today is the day of unification of the strongest political party in Nigeria. With the coalition of the two parties, it is getting clearer that PDP is the Party to beat in the coming elections in Ogun State. What prompted our decision to join the PDP is a collective resolve not to give the opposition an undue advantage as was the case in 2011 when intra-party crisis led to the party's loss at the polls".

Otunba Daniel also used the occasion to tender public apology to former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo appealing to him not to abandon his house. "We are ready to apologise again and again to our Baba to forgive and forget our past actions and inactions". He also praised the Chairman, Southwest PDP Mobilisation Committee, Prince Buruji Kashamu for his efforts at keeping the party together in the State.

In his speech, the National Chairman of the Party, Alhaji Adamu Muazu congratulated the former governor on his decision to rejoin the party saying that it is like a homecoming. "PDP is your roots. I am happy today and sincerely welcome you back to your roots. The People's Democratic Party is a truly democratic Party which is committed to widening and deepening democracy and shall so do everything possible to ensure equity, fairness and justice for all its members both old and new. He also joined Otunba Daniel in appealing to former President Olusegun Obasanjo to forget the past and create an atmosphere of reconciliation in order to move the State and the nation forward.

The Senate President, Senator David Mark in his own remarks could not hide his excitement at Otunba Gbenga Daniel's return to the PDP declaring that victory is certain for the party in the State in 2015. "If we are united, we will be stronger. There is no denying the fact that Ogun State is home to PDP and so everybody in the State should be in the PDP".

Dignitaries at the epoch-making occasion include former Minister of State for Finance, Aare Jubril Martins Kuye; Senator Ayodeji Otegbola; Chief Kolapo Ogunjobi; Chief (Mrs.) Iyabode Apampa; Are Tunde Alabi who represented Chief Sule Onabiyi; Hon. Razak Adeuwusi, member, representing Yewa North/Imeko Afon Federal Constituency; members of the Ogun State House of Assembly (both serving and old),

Earlier at the residence of the former governor in Abuja, it was a grand re-union of former political allies as party stalwarts exchanged pleasantries, embraced one another and took turns to speak glowingly on the sterling qualities of Otunba Daniel as a visionary leader.

They also saluted the courage and political wisdom of OGD for taking a very bold decision to return to the People's Democratic Party (PDP). According to them, the return of Otunba Daniel will definitely boost the fortunes of the party not only in Ogun State but the entire Southwest geo-political zone of the country.

Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye however thanked all for the loyalty they have shown Otunba Gbenga Daniel over the years. Labour Party in Ogun State, he said is a very powerful political party which Daniel has warehoused and nurtured into a winning formula.

The historic reunion also witnessed the confirmation of Aare Remi Bakare, former APC Ogun governorship aspirant; Hon. Onadeko Onamusi; a staunch APC member and former Chairman, Odogbolu Local government; Hon. Ayokunle Bolujoko;  a sitting APC lawmaker in the Ogun State House of Assembly;  Hon. Obafemi Olowooloja and Comrade Niyi Osoba; the Ogun Labour Party chairman as new entrants.