Kashamu suffering from political inexperience, overconfidence — Daniel

Former governor of Ogun State, Chief Gbenga Daniel, has accused the Chairman, Organisation and Mobilisation Committee of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), South-West, Prince Buruji Kashamu, of political naivity and unnecessary overconfidence, saying a good leader must listen to his followers. Daniel, who is the leader of Labour Party in Ogun State, said this, on Friday, by the Political Academy, (POLA), Asoludero quarters, Sagamu, Ogun State. According to Daniel, who spoke at an interactive session, was responding to question on what Prince Kashamu said in reaction to what Daniel earlier said concerning his determination and that of his party to collaborate with PDP to defeat the incumbent Governor Ibikunle Amosun in 2015. The former governor said his resolve and that of his party to work with the PDP to defeat Amosun of Ogun State in 2015 was based on a clarion call by the people of the state for a change. “We are responding to the people’s call to work with the PDP to bring about a change,” he said, adding: “Political leaders must listen to their followers. People want change, calling on me, OGD go and unite these people,” he said. The former governor, while wondering why anybody should take offence with what he decided to do based on desire of Ogun indigenes for a change of government come 2015, said such a reaction could be as a result of lack of experience on the part Kashamu who he noted had never contested election in his life. “I would put that to inexperience. He has never contested election. I don’t respond to that, it is inexperience, unnecessary over confidence. That is lack of experience. He joined politics in 2009,” Daniel stated. Daniel, who drew a parallel between what led to the formation of Alliance for Democracy (AD) and his joining the Labour Party, maintained that 95 per cent of present members of Ogun PDP belonged to his Gbenga Daniel, OGD family. “In PDP where they are, 95 per cent of members are OGD family. As far as I know today, the strongest force in Ogun is LP. If somebody can sit him down, he would understand,” the former governor said. “Even the people who are sitting at the centre in Nigeria will not say they don’t need anybody. If anybody says they want to work with you, they are most welcome; that is what an experienced politician will say. So, the person who spoke, I would put it to lack of experience in this matter. “And so, if they now say that it is time for us to work together, he is not in a position to determine that. And the people of Ogun State have a choice. Now that things are no longer settling within the camp of the ruling party, there are other strategic partnerships that can rescue the people of Ogun State if it is necessary. If the Labour Party can do it alone, the Labour Party will go ahead. “As far as I’m concerned today, the strongest political structure in Ogun State is the Labour Party. But nobody can talk until the election day. So, if his own boss is still looking for allies, how can somebody who is not even sure where he stands be saying otherwise? No, that is not how politics is played. “Jonathan is still looking for supporters. But instead of Jonathan to say that I don’t need anybody, you see him running looking for additional friends. So, that statement by that man is clearly born out of inexperience and I’m sure that if some people sit with him and explain it to him, he probably would change that statement and support it,” he added.