THE National body of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Friday came out with its position on the Thursday's expulsion of Chief Lamidi Adedibu, popularly referred to as "the strong man of Ibadan politics" and Alhaji Yekini Adeojo by the Oyo State body of the party just as Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie cautioned Governor Rashidi Ladoja that those affected by the expulsion from the party may still find their way back into it.
In a press release signed by the National Secretary of the party, Chief Vincent Ogbulafor, the party rejected the expulsion which was a fallout of the crisis in the state chapter of the party.
Okogie who paid a courtesy call on the Governor in his office stated that Ladoja should exhibit caution in the handling of the expelled party members and their supporters.
“I am aware of what is going on in the state and we all know what happened in Anambra State. But we thank the good Lord. He will not allow any of His children to suffer in the hands of their oppressors. I am not a politician please, but I heard of the expulsion of some people from the party. I am not a prophet but I can tell you, they will dance out and dance in again, so be careful”, the cleric said.
According to him, his contention was based on the way Nigerian politicians play their game.
While congratulating Ladoja for the successes recorded in the state, Okogie said, “the good Lord who put you there will continue to enable you to triumph over your detractors. You will always overcome them wherever they are”. He expressed hope that the governor would be able to perform more and positively touch the lives of the suffering masses of the state now as his (governor) “problems seem to be blowing away like the wind”.
The Catholic Arch Bishop of Lagos who commended the peaceful relationship existing between the state and the church especially in Oyo State advised Ladoja to make welfare of the people very paramount on his agenda. Responding, the governor stated that what had been happening in Anambra and Oyo states should be seen as “part of political experiment in Nigeria and the issues had been handled firmly now”.Said he, “If all leaders have been firm in what they belief, govern- ance in Nigeria would have been more focused and the nation would have been a better place for all”.
On the return of schools to their original owners in the state, the governor explained that the outcome of the report of a committee set up by his government for the purpose would determine the next line of action as the report will be out before the end of this year, adding that the return of religious and moral studies to the school curricula was aimed at rejuvenating moral values in the pupils in the state.
