Ogun crisis: Peace meeting ends in deadlock
By Olusola Fabiyi, Abuja
Published: Tuesday, 17 Mar 2009
A reconciliatory meeting initiated by the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party to end the political war in Ogun State between Governor Gbenga Daniel and the estranged elders of the party ended in a deadlock on Monday (yesterday) evening in Abuja.

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Otunba Gbenga Daniel

It was gathered that both parties to the conflict did not yield grounds, forcing Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello to leave the venue of the meeting.

The crisis, which had led to the removal of Mrs. Titi Oseni as the Speaker of the state House of Assembly last year, culminated in her indefinite suspension as a member of the legislature two weeks ago.

Daniel came to the meeting with all members of the party‘s executive party, including the state Chairman of the PDP, Chief Joju Fadairo; Chief Bisiriyu Popoola and Chief Agboola Alausa.

Others include Senator Kola Bajomo, Chief Bode Mustapha, former Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Oseni, and legislators loyal to him.

On the other hand, party elders opposed to Daniel that attended were led by Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye.

Also in attendance were Chief Sule Onabiyi, Dr. Doyin Okupe and a former minister, Chief Sarafa Ishola, among others.

While the Martins-Kuye group insisted on the dissolution of the party executives from ward to the state levels to pave way for a fresh election, Daniel scoffed at the idea, stressing that the party executives were validly elected.

The Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Tunji Egbetokun, was also in attendance.

The National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, led the PDP delegate to the meeting.

Before the meeting went into closed doors, Ogbulafor had warned the two parties to be careful of the way they addressed the problem, adding that it was capable of jeopardising the party‘s chances in the next election.

He said, ”It‘s very important that we cooperate among ourselves. Election is still too far away but we are approaching it. And if you are not together, we will lose Ogun State.”