Party leaders seek support for Kashamu as Ogun PDP gubernatorial candidate

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders in Ogun State have canvassed support for Senator Buruji Kashamu as its governorship candidate in the 2019 elections.

Its chairman, Adebayo Dayo said Kashamu’s emergence followed the “voluntary” withdrawal of Adeleke Shittu who won the primaries conducted by the Bayo Dayo faction of the party in the state.

In a statement, he said the party had to persuade Kashamu to become its candidate because they believe that he has better chances of winning the poll.

He said: “We pleaded with Shittu and he agreed with us. Also, we want to thank Kashamu for offering himself for this service. He has done quite a lot for the party and the people.

“We are sure that with him as the candidate, the race to Oke Mosan will be a mission accomplished for the party.”

Kashamu, representing Ogun East Senatorial District at the National Assembly, has promised to move the state to the next level, adding that it is the turn of Ijebu tribe to produce the next governor.

He said: “Since the era of our father, the late Olabisi Onabanjo, as governor of Ogun State between 1979 and 1983, the Ijebus have been yearning for the governorship of the state.

“After that, it went to the Egbas, where Olusegun Osoba ran twice, first between 1992 and 1994, and then again between 1999 and 2003. Gbenga Daniel, from Remo extraction in Ogun East, also had eight years from 2003 to 2011. Then the current governor, Ibikunle Amosun, who is of Egba extraction in Ogun Central, has been in office since 2011.”

Kashamu said it was also worthy to note that the people of Ogun East senatorial district had in 2011 and 2015, shelved their interest in the governorship to support Ogun West, albeit unsuccessfully.