Ogun PDP picks Abati as deputy governorship candidate

Reuben Abati, former presidential spokesman, has been named as the running mate of Leke Shittu, governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun.

Gbenga Daniel, former governor of the state, was listed as the senatorial candidate for Ogun east district.

This was made known in a statement signed by Buruji Kashamu on Wednesday.

Following a federal high court ruling, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had accepted the candidates’ list submitted by the Adebayo Dayo-led faction loyal to Kashamu.

Kashamu asked the public to disregard the statement credited to Kola Ologbondiyan, national publicity secretary of the PDP, that only the national leadership of a party can submit candidates list to INEC.

“The candidates’ list of the Kashamu backed Bayo Dayo exco of Ogun PDP has been received and fully acknowledged by INEC for the 2019 elections,” the statement read.

“Prince Leke Shittu and Dr. Reuben Abati were duly acknowledged as the Ogun PDP Governorship and Deputy Governorship candidates respectively.

“Former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, is for the Senate, Ogun East; and all other candidates for the Senatorial, Federal House of Representatives and the State House of Assembly were also accepted and duly acknowledged.

“Any rumour being peddled around by our National Chairman and National Publicity Secretary through a purported press release should be disregarded, as the duo are deliberately acting unlawfully and beyond their powers to which they’ve refused wise counsel to toe the path of rule of law.”

Kashamu noted that the PDP was created for all Nigerians.