Daniel sacks aides loyal to PDP

Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel has allegedly terminated the appointment of political appointees in the state over their loyalty to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party. The affected members are Mr. Femi Ogunsola, Mr. Deji Ogunsola, Mr. Deji Orebiyi and Mr. Taiwo Jimoh. The crisis in the PDP degenerated after the party’s primaries, leading to the defection of members loyal to Daniel to the Peoples Party of Nigeria to contest the forthcoming polls. The former state Chairman of the PDP, Mr. Joju Fadairo, had recently alleged that some political appointees loyal to the PDP in the state were being intimidated by the governor. Investigations by our correspondent revealed that before the letters of termination of appointment were issued to the political appointees, a meeting was held at the Asoludero residence of the governor where it was allegedly agreed that the political appointees must support the PPN. Some of the political appointees in the state, who attended the meeting alleged that the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Adegbemi Onakoya, asked them to support the PPN or resign their appointments. In what appears as a realisation of the threat, four members of Yewa South Local Government in the state, were last Monday sacked and replaced for allegedly refusing to defect to PPN. One of the victims, who was a former Governor’s Liaison Officer, Mr. Bashorun Soyeye, confirmed the development and lamented the termination of his appointment. He said, “I am shocked and surprised to receive the letter. I was loyal to the governor until the morning of Wednesday when I received a letter terminating my appointment as the GLO in Obafemi/Owode Local Government.” A copy of the letter with the headline ‘Termination of Appointment’ dated March 10, 2011 and signed by the SSG, said the termination was as a result of re-organisation of government machinery. The letter reads in part, “In view of the ongoing re-organisation of government machinery, I wish to inform you that your appointment as GLO for Obafemi/Owode Local Government is no longer required with effect form Thursday March 10, 2011.” The SSG directed him to handover government property in his possession to the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Political Affairs and Administration, Governor’s Office, Abeokuta. It was further learnt that the erstwhile Deputy Chief Press Secretary to Governor, Mr. Segun Sowunmi; the Special Assistant to the governor attached to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Tokunbo Fakeye; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Mr. Niyi Salako; and Dr. Leke Otegbeye, the son of the late elder statesman, were also said to be under pressure to denounce the PDP. Reacting to the development, the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Sina Kawonise, debunked the claim, saying at no time did Daniel sacked anyone in his cabinet because of his/or her affiliation. Kawonise, who reacted through a text message said, ‘’This is to formally disclaim the falsehood that Governor Gbenga Daniel has sacked members of his cabinet who refused to join the PPN. Governor Daniel did not sack anyone in his cabinet because of his/her political affiliation. Governor Daniel himself remains in PDP and continues to solicit votes for President Goodluck Jonathan in all the PPN’s rallies he attends. “I must also use this opportunity to alert the general public of the evil ploy of some elements in Ogun State who have little or no significant following in the state to peddle falsehood against the government and governor of Ogun State in order to weaken his potent political structure, confused the good people of Ogun State, particularly the voters and subvert the electoral and democratic process,” the commissioner stressed. He claimed that the political appointees were sacked was as a result of dereliction of duty and not because of their political affiliation. By Francis Falola Courtesy Of: Punch