Tension, Uncertainty In Ogun Over Expectations On INEC Deadline Day Listing Of Dimeji Bankole, Buruji Kashamu

There is a strong tension and great uncertainty in the political circle of Ogun state.

The development has root in unclear political standing of Ex Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole. And fugitive People’s Democratic Party chieftain, Kashamu Buruji.

Decisions of where the duo stand is expected to impact on the upcoming general election in the state.

Bankole a gubernatorial aspirant is aggrieved that he was outplayed out of the race to secure the PDP gubernatorial ticket in the state.

He entered into talks with political party sympathetic to the cause of his own, social Democratic Party to become it’s candidate.

The move if successful whittles the might of the PDP at ousting incumbent, Ibikunle Amosun.

‘It means the PDP will split support base to support two candidates on two different parties instead of presenting a united front for one’ a source analysed.

There are conflicting reports on Bankole’s move to become SDP candidate.

Initially reports tagged it favourable, fresh reports claim the contrary.
Leader of his party and hidden patron of the SDP, President Goodluck Jonathan is disclosed as ‘wants Dimeji to stay put in order to maintain a good chance at pushing out the incumbent in the state’.

The President is keen to have as much Southwest state as possible in the fold of his party.

There are contradictory reports on the stance of Aremo Segun Osoba, the SDP leader- forced out of the APC over protracted battle with the incumbent – on whether to anoint Bankole candidate or not

The uncertainty of the moves and counter moves to make Bankole is said to be such that deadline day listing of Inec appears the only recourse to correct information.

The scenario appears the same with fugitive PDP chieftain seeking to become a Senator, Kashamu Buruji.

Buruji faces the political influence of former governor Gbenga Daniel in his ambition.

The ex state head man believed to have stepped down in the interest of peace has re-enacted attempts to become a Senator.

And at stake is the PDP ticket for Ogun East.

Known for his ‘spoiler role’, it is believed Kashamu would embrace the opposition and find a way to truncate the planned successes of the PDP if he loss out to Daniel.

His supporters have started the script writing with vows of protest votes if the fugitive politician loses out.

Moves and counter moves to accommodate as much interests as possible and minimise potential damage is said to be on.

The situation is labelled ‘intense’ and ‘dicey’ and ‘unsure’ at present.

With all stakeholders working round the clock to ensure favourable outcome – including the opposition striving to create an enabling environment for victory from the outside, an insider labelled the situation ‘ tension soaked’.

‘Only truth available is that, based on going negotiations…horse trading and constantly emerging fresh angles…it will take Inec deadline day listing of candidates to get concrete position of things as they stand…until then, we operate in an atmosphere of tension and uncertainty’ an insider surmise.