Nigeria Content Online

The race to decide
who will be the governorship candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic
Party{PDP} has led to tension and discord among members of the Ogun
West Elders Forum, hitherto an apolitical group established to ensure
the emergence of a politician from the zone as the next governor of the
state.

The faceoff between
the leaders was brought into public glare at the weekend in Abeokuta,
as different factions, at separate press conferences, tackled each
other over candidates of their choice.

The two aspirants
at the centre of the hullabaloo are a former military governor, Tunji
Olurin, and Gboyega Isiaka, former managing director, Gateway Holdings.
Mr. Olurin is said to be the candidate of former president, Olusegun
Obasanjo, while Mr. Isiaka is said to be the choice of the state
governor, Gbenga Daniel.

Messrs Obasanjo and
Daniel are opposed to each other politically, hence the issue of
succession has became a power play between the duo.

A faction of the
Elders Consultative Forum, headed by Ishola Olateju, held a press
conference to declare their backing for Olurin, whom they claimed has
the credentials to represent the zone at the governorship election.

But reacting to the
position of the Olateju-led group, another factional leader, Olawale
Bankole, declared that the authentic choice of the zone is Mr. Isiaka,
whom he said they have agreed to pitch their tent with.

Mr. Bankole said
the endorsement of Olurin by the other group, “is a calculated attempt
to mislead and deceive the people of Ogun West.”

“We, therefore,
call on the good people of Ogun west and Nigerians at large to
disregard the purported views and activities of this group, as they do
not represent the position of the Ogun West Elders Consultative Forum,”
he said.

Not to be sidelined

The Olateju group,
at the press conference, however, said the other group carried out its
work without informing all members of the Forum.

“They went round and picked two of our members, but did not tell us to nominate them,” he said.

“We don’t know how
they arrived at their decision. Their decision was not totally
acceptable to others who were screened, but they said it was their
internal problem which they would solve,” Mr. Olateju said.

He said it was the forum which approached Mr. Olurin to contest and they are convinced about his quality.

“He is the candidate we have recommended. We believe we have not
made any mistake or error. Olurin is just 63 and still agile.
Experience is the best teacher, and his experience has outshined other
aspirants. We would not fold our arms and see Olurin being sidelined,”
he said.