10th January, 2015
Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta
There are clearer indications that the former Minister of State for Finance, Chief Jubril Martins-Kuye may soon join the All Progressives Congress, APC before next month’s general elections in the country.
Also, a former Minister of Mines and Steel in Nigeria and a one time Secretary to the State Government, SSG in Ogun State, Alhaji Tunji Sarafa Ishola and his supporters are warming up to join the APC train in the state before the elections next month.
Our correspondent reliably gathered that supporters of the former junior Finance Minister, JMK as Martins-Kuye is fondly called, are mounting pressure on him to take a decision before it is too late on which way they should go ahead of 2015 general elections.
PM News can authoritatively reveal that Governor Ibikunke Amosun was in Ago Iwoye, country home of JMK on Wednesday night with some senatorial leaders in the state to discuss with him.
Gbolade Osinowo, Asiwaju Jide Awosedo,Chief Derin Adebiyi and Elder Kunle Elegbede attended the meeting with JMK. Leading those who were on the side of the former Minister at the meeting was a former Senator, Lekan Mustapha.
At the meeting which was held behind close door, it was disclosed that governor Amosun discussed extensively with his host on why he should be with them, APC in their quest for the continuation of the mission to rebuild the State.
Our correspondent gathered that Kuye asked for time before making a decision. “You have spoken well and we have all seen what you have been able to achieve in just three and half years. Your Excellency, you are going to give me some time to think over the matter and I will get back to you soon,” Kuye was quoted to have said.
Our correspondent gathered that supporters of Chief Martins Kuye have been pressurising him to speak out on which party to follow since the internal crisis within the PDP in the state raised its ugly heads after the primaries elections of the party.
At the caucus meeting of JMK group held at his resident, they resolved to pitch tents with the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in the state for the next general elections.
One of the aides of Baba Kuye confirmed this to our correspondent on phone Friday morning, adding that, the lackluster attitude of the PDP in the state have made them to take such decision.
“We held our meeting yesterday because there have been complains and disenchantments from members over what line to tow but now it is clear that PDP in Ogun is a toothless bulldog. Some of our people have been coming to Baba, some sent text messages asking him on the next step. So, when Governor Amosun came to meet with Baba, we were briefed and that was why we summoned the meeting.
“At the meeting, we asked them where they will want us to go and there were divided opinions that we should move to either SDP or APC. But at the end of the day, we all unanimously resolved to move to APC, having considered the achievements of the present administration led by Amosun in the state.
“Some even told us at the meeting that they have been romancing with the APC in their various local government areas but were taking their time to hear from Baba on what to do. They said they don’t see PDP springing any surprise at the elections, noting that, a “the PDP is yet to resolve who will represent it in some positions ahead of the elections,” the source revealed.
Our correspondent also gathered that the former SSG, Sarfa Tunji Ishola, who was one of the governorship candidates of the PDP has been romancing the SDP on the ground that he will be given the Ogun Central Senatorial ticket.
Speaking with our correspondent Friday morning in Abeokuta, an ally of Sarafa Ishola confirmed that they are expecting the Ogun Central Senatorial ticket and nothing less.
“The matter has gone beyond all these, we have been talking and it is the Ogun Central Senate ticket or we leave and work for Amosun. Oga has said it that if they fail to give him the ticket in SDP, he may be forced to take harsh decision of joining the APC, let’s wait and see for now,” the source posited.