Obasanjo-Jonathan feud: Sacked ex-Osun governor may not return to office

Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola who was sacked yesterday as the National Secretary of the ruling PDP by a Federal High Court, Abuja, may not return to office ,according to indications yesterday.

Some forces in the party are said to be uncomfortable with Oyinlola as National Secretary in the run-up to the nomination of the party’s presidential flagbearer in 2015.

Oyinlola is a loyalist of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo who is currently locked in a battle of wit with President Goodluck Jonathan for the control of the party ahead of 2015.

News of the court decision has sent jitters into the Obasanjo/Oyinlola camp, sources said yesterday.

There are also indications of pressure on the leadership of the PDP not to appeal against the judgment.

According to investigation, some forces in the PDP were yesterday jubilating over the removal of Oyinlola by the court.

It was learnt that the powerful forces cited Oyinlola as a major threat to the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, because he was nominated by the PDP Governors’ Forum and ex-President Obasanjo.

It was gathered that the judgment has made Oyinlola the first victim of the crossfire between Obasanjo and President Jonathan.

A source said: “I do not think Oyinlola would return to that seat because as a National Secretary, he was part of the crisis of confidence between Tukur and the National Working Committee members.

“Since he came on board, the presidency and party leaders have had mixed feelings because he has been part of intrigues in the party. Why will a National Secretary join a group to overrule the National Chairman of the party?

“Nobody knew that he had a case in court. And with this judgment, it is a natural victory or justice for Tukur’s loyalists who can tell him to go and stay at home to resolve his case in court before coming back to office. It is also an opportunity to reposition the party.

“If there is no appeal from Oyinlola, the party can also call for fresh nomination from the South-West into the vacant slot and there is no way the presidency or the party can allow any loyalist of either the governors or Obasanjo to come on board.”

A source in the PDP Governors’ Forum, who spoke in confidence, said: “The judgment has caused tension and most members were dazed. What some pro-Oyinlola members are doing now is to analyze the merits or otherwise of the judgment.

“I think some forces are very uncomfortable with Oyinlola’s role and closeness to the PDP governors. This legal ambush was used to seal Oyinlola’s fate

“Oyinlola’s closeness to Obasanjo is also a problem for the presidency. With the row between Obasanjo and President Jonathan, it will be dangerous to have Oyinlola back as the National Secretary.”
-Sunwp_posts