16th December, 2014
Jamiu Yisa
A youth group within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Forum for Justice and Equity (FJE) on Tuesday asked a former Minister of State for Defence and governorship aspirant, Musiliu Obanikoro to apologise to the media over a statement made by him at a press conference he organised last Friday.
The group also absolved the Publicity Secretary of the party in Lagos State, Gani Taofik of complicity in the controversy that marred the conduct of the party primary in Lagos State.
It would be recalled that there were discrepancies in the number of delegates and the overall number of votes cast at the primary which was won by Jimi Agbaje.
While 806 delegates were accredited before the commencement of voting, 863 votes were counted at the end of the exercise.
Obanikoro had accused the party executives of rigging the election in Agbaje’s favour.
He specifically mention Gani, whom he accused of bringing in fake delegates through the section he earmarked for the media.
However, spokesperson of FJE, Ayinla Agboluaje in a statement on Tuesday said the claim by Obanikoro is a figment of his imagination.
He said the allegation by the Minister is a very serious one which is capable of inciting his supporters against Gani.
“We are constrained to issue this statement given the threat to Gani’s life since the reckless statement by Senator Obanikoro. Gani as the publicity secretary of our great party, the party has a responsibility to make provision for the media personnel that were on ground to monitor the proceedings of the primary”.
“He did that creditably well but we are surprised that the Senator rather than congratulate his opponent has now resorted to name-calling, particularly accusing our Publicity Secretary of bringing in fake delegates through the media”.
“This unfounded allegation, to the best of our knowledge is an affront, not only on Gani’s integrity but the media, who laboured throughout the night to ensure every event at the primary was monitored and properly reported. Accusing them of aiding manipulation is the height of insult and we want Obanikoro to tender an unreserved apology to these gentlemen”.
“Also, given the nature of supporters in Obanikoro’s team, we hereby warn that nothing untoward should happen to that young man, Gani. We understand he has been receiving several threats from some unknown persons since the Minister made the reckless statement and we dare say that Obanikoro will be held liable if anything happens to him” he said.