The end may not have been heard on the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State as it deepened on Monday with the two rivals for its governorship ticket, Buruji Kashamu, and Ladi Adebutu, launching separate campaigns for the 2019 election.
The Ogun East Senator, Buruji Kashamu, whose name is on the list released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), launched his campaign in Ijebu-Igbo, while the House of Representatives Member, Ladi Adebutu, who the National Headquarters of the party has handed the party’s flag in the state, launched his campaign in Abeokuta.
Venues of both campaigns were well attended by their loyalists, supporters and candidates for various positions who claimed that each factional head was the authentic PDP flagbearer.
The two factions in the state had conducted parallel congresses, but INEC acting on a court judgement recognised Kashamu as the party’s candidate.
This made Kashamu’s supporters believe that his candidature has been affirmed by the electoral body.
However, It will be recalled that the zonal flag off of the PDP campaigns in the Southwest last week in Ibadan, witnessed the party presenting its flag to Mr Adebutu as its governorship candidate for Ogun State, even as Kashamu was at the event.
Adebutu’s supporters said the presentation of the party flag to their leader, by the national leadership of the party affirmed his candidature, stressing that Mr Kashamu and his supporters were only wasting their time and resources.
PDP had earlier suspended Mr Kashamu and the Dayo Bayo-led executive in the state. But they went to court and obtained judgement against it.
While the Bayo Dayo led PDP State executives loyal to Kashamu insists on being the authentic, the Sikirulai Ogundele faction loyal to Adebutu is also claiming same.
The crisis over who the authentic governorship candidate is, is also affecting other candidates vying for various political positions at the State and National Assemblies in the PDP, with the two factions claiming authenticity.
Meanwhile, the case over the PDP flagbearer in Ogun State is still in court.
