Obasanjo has not resigned from PDP, says Okupe

Doyin Okupe, former senior special assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, says former President Olusegun Obasanjo has not resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Obasanjo denounced his membership of the PDP last year, instructing Sunmonu Oladunjoye, chairman of the PDP at his ward in Abeokuta, to help him tear his party card publicly.

Obasanjo had fallen out with the leadership of the party, where he was twice elected as president, over his opposition to the reelection bid of Jonathan. He had claimed that the party was planning to expel him over his critical stance on Jonathan.

“They said they want to expel me from PDP… although I have not been told but I have my ears on ground. We’ve been trying to run away from a mad man but he pleads we wait for him at the other side of the river,” he said.

“Why would some people say they want to send me away? They don’t need to bother themselves. Here’s your membership card, take it.”

However, in a statement on Friday, Okupe, who also worked under Obasanjo, said the elder statesman has not left the former ruling party.

“Baba Obasanjo still remains the undisputed and authentic leader of the PDP in the south-west,” he said.

“The fact that he tore his membership card is not tantamount to resignation from the party. An action he has not undertaken to date.

“Tearing of the membership card though a very negative action is undoubtedly a knee-jerk reaction to certain unacceptable or intolerable happenings within the party which can and will be redressed.

“In his temporary absence, we have a collegiate or confederal leadership of eminent and distinguished elders including Chief Bode George, Chief Ogunlewe, Aare Jubril Martins Kuye, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Chief Mrs Apampa, Dr. lekan Balogun, Baba Richard Akinjide, Alhaji Yekini Adeojo, Chief Ebenezer BABATOPE, Shuabu Oyedokun, Iyiola Omisore, Prof. Adeniran, Gov Fayose, Gov Mimiko, Senator Bode Olajumoke amongst others.

“Senator Buruji Kashamu is NOT the leader of the PDP in the south-west. He is not even the leader of the party in Ogun state. He leads an NGO called Omo Ilu which engages in empowerment programmes in the state, mainly in the Ogun east senatorial district.

“We are a proud and a foremost race in Nigeria. We have enviable political antecedents and capable of presenting nationally credible and acceptable leadership at any and all time.”