Aftermath of President Jonathan's visit to Awujale and the paramount ruler of Ijebu land, the highly respected royal father's refusal to publicly endorse Jonathan for second term, it has been revealed that the president is not happy with the way the event has turned out.
Sources at the presidency revealed that after the meeting with the royal father, president Jonathan and the PDP inner caucus are very angry with some of the party leaders from the state who have made the presidency believe that they are very popular in the state.
It was further revealed that the presidency particularly directed its anger towards the former governor of the state Otunba Gbenga Daniel whom the presidency claimed has been grandstanding with his control and structure in the state.
The source revealed: "these people have been siphoning money from the president through sweet words. The only person who has proven to be on ground is Prince Buruji Kashamu. The president was however shocked at the public and blunt refusal of the Awujale to endorse him (Jonathan) after the former governor claimed to have prepared the ground for a positive endorsement. They siphon dollars with propaganda".
An emergency PDP caucus meeting was however called after the meeting with Awujale to manage the situation. In attendance was both former governors of the state Gbenga Daniel and Olusegun Osoba. It was suggested at the meeting by Gbenga Daniel that Awujale should be threatened with dethronment, a suggestion Akinrogun Osoba vehemently opposed.
Gbenga Daniel explained to the meeting that its just a threat, that it once worked for the Alake of Egbaland and the paramount ruler of Egbaland when he complained about bad roads. He reminded the meeting that twice the threat of dethronement have been used to call Awujale to order. First in 1982 and secondly by the Abacha regime. He said that President Jonathan's re-election is the most important even at the expense of the gubernatorial election in the state. He asked the president to continue to make cash less available to the incumbent.
Osoba told the meeting that, the situation can still be salvaged before all other paramount Yoruba Obas take queue from Awujale. He again did not support the threat to dethrone. He suggested a huge financial war chest should be earmarked for rebranding. Osoba affirmed that his role is to spoil the chances of the incumbent but the PDP should work on its own to ensure victory. He asked the president not to forget their agreement when he wins. A move which the core state PDP faithful kicked against. They said Osoba cant control such war chest as hes not a member of the party.
The president was the last person to speak. He expressed his dissapointment at the handling of party politics in the state. He said the developmental project by the current administration is too much to ignore. He promised an immediate release of the sum of $2.5m for the rebranding which $500,000 will be given to Osoba. Another sum of $1m is to be released to the Awujale and other paramount rulers in the Yoruba kingdom would be coerced through the Afenifere to move for massive public endorsement of President Jonathan.
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