Kashamu denies plans to run for Ogun governor

The fugitive financier of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ogun State Chapter, Buruji Kashamu, has denied any plan to contest the 2015 governorship race in the state. Mr. Kashamu told PREMIUM TIMES in Abeokuta that he had no hand in nor encouraged the pasting of his posters which flooded Abeokuta, the state capital, over the weekend. The posters stated that he would contest the election on the platform of the PDP. The statement on some of the posters read, “2015: The only solution. Kashamu for Ogun State Governor.” Mr. Kashamu, however, admitted that some party members had asked him to contest the Ogun governorship election. “Five hundred party members came to me sometime last week in Ijebu to tell me to contest; but I told them am not interested. And I don’t know why they are doing this,” he said in response to PREMIUM TIMES enquiry on his alleged ambition. “However, I appreciate those who want good things for me, but I don’t know those behind the posters. I am above that. But you know when you are generous, when you are a philanthropist, people will believe you can do it, but many people are concerned for their selfish interest,” he said. Mr. Kashamu, who is wanted for drug related offences in the U.S., although he has claimed it was a case of mistaken identity, said he does not believe that his being a successful philanthropist means he would be a good governor. “You know if as an individual, I am doing lot of empowerment to affect peoples’ lives, they will want you to serve in government; not knowing that people like that cannot be good governors,” he said. “I appreciate those who wish me well, I wish them the best. I want to say when it is time, all leaders of our party will support all our candidates.” Mr. Kashamu, a major ally of President Goodluck Jonathan in the South West, was one of the reasons former President Olusegun Obasanjo withdrew from PDP activities. The former President said he could no longer stand the ridicule he receives from foreign dignitaries who accused him and the PDP of harbouring and patronising a fugitive.