Ogun PDP has no factions, only group interests — Showunmi

The crisis gripping the Ogun State branch of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) has once again polarized the party ahead of the 2023 general elections. In this interview with AZEEZ OLORUNLOMERU, a candidate for the The party's faction governor in the state, Segun Showunmi, explains his stance on the crisis and why he would emerge as the state's next governor, among other issues.

What are your party's chances in the 2023 gubernatorial election in Ogun State given the ongoing infighting? Well, all things considered, elections are emotional for people who think you'd make an election without doing the proper math. I'm from Ogun Central, where you have the most voter turnout, and I stood tall and appropriately. My children and I are well known. I have enough followers there and I have been a person who has committed to the state in the past while these other people have jumped from pillar to post, and even undermined the party.

Aren't you afraid the party will lose if they go to the polls in this crisis? I know that all political parties have challenges. I am well aware that our rivals, the All Progressives Congress (APC) too, are facing internal challenges.

I know they have a government in place, which is something people will be a bit scared or worried about. But I also know that when we discuss the issues around this government, at the end of the day, we can compete with them. Thus, Showunmi cannot be underestimated.

What is the state of the crisis in Ogun PDP right now? The Abuja Court of Appeal granted my prayers to the Magistrate Court on the jurisdiction of the case I brought before it.

What were your prayers? What I asked the court was: is it fair, justifiable, ideal, or just that an executive who will preside over the production of ad hoc delegates participate in the purchase of the form for the 'one of the candidates?

I went to court after exhausting all possibilities to write letters and plead them. For the glory of God, the righteousness of the judiciary and the court of justice, I have obtained judgment.

They can't add anything new to my costume as it is, so it'll be interesting to see how they want to fare. I believe in the maxim that you cannot build something on nothing; which absolutely constitutes one of the foundations of law. Therefore, I am the gubernatorial candidate of the PDP in Ogun State.

Did the court declare you a candidate for party governor? I give you an overview and I make you understand what it takes. I don't want to talk about the case. What is important is that we only depend on the jurisdiction, and as soon as this jurisdiction has fallen, I do not see how they can build something on nothing.

Can someone run for governor without going through the party primaries? Sure, I went through a party primary, but primaries are premium. I think, overall, we're good to go, and I don't believe anyone with a good conscience will allow anyone to profit from their criminality. They can't sit around and tamper with the list of delegates and do whatever they want in a country that has laws and they'll expect me to stay away from court. We did it and we are happy about it. We look forward to having the case.

You alleged that the list was tampered with. Who tampered with it? What's important is that if we look at the case that Jimi Lawal filed in court, it will give you a better understanding of the mess they made that they call a primary.

Didn't you violate your party's constitution by taking it to court? They can't do what they want. Election law does not give them imaginary powers to make and break, and it does not prevent a political party from departing from its own constitution or allow its leaders to violate their oath of office.

Having gone through all the necessary protocols to inform them, tell them this is the case, before taking the matter to court, I have no explanation other than to say that I am particularly pleased that justice is not evil, as people have it rumored.

All these years, from the day I joined this party around 1998, I have stayed in the party. Nothing moved me. Those who try to throw this illegality before me, I can show you how they go from trip to trip, claiming that they are looking for what is not lost. The rule is very clear. If there is a problem, you write to them. All have been copied. The party president was copied, and the national leaders, including the office of the national secretary, were copied. When they did n...