The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Candidate in the
just-ended governorship election in Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, has dumped
the party over an unresolved disagreement between him and the PDP leadership in
the state.
This is contained in a statement made available to
journalists in Lagos. Agbaje said it was necessary for him to leave the party
after a series of allegations that arose after our party lost the governorship
election in Lagos.
”I have tried to remain focused and ignore all the
distractions coming from the leadership of the party. I am making the decision
after due consultations with my supporters and loved ones for the sake of
peace.”
Mr Agbaje, however, did not give details on his next move
and whether he will join another party.
The former PDP Chairman in the state, Chief Tunji Shelle,
had accused Agbaje of being responsible for the party’s poor performance in the
governorship election.
According to Shelle: “We had a situation where somebody said
he could work and achieve victory alone. Meanwhile, he doesn’t know anything.
“Rather than show cooperation, he was arguing and fighting
people who could help him. Even when things were going bad and help was to be
rendered, he said he doesn’t need help.
“Well-meaning people intervened to rally everybody together
in Lagos. They called us to a meeting and asked us to help him but he refused,
saying he doesn’t need help. He became a lone ranger and stand-alone person.
“Even when we were trying to reinforce his campaign team, he
told us point blank that he couldn’t work with people he can’t control. He
wants to be a master of all and subject everybody in the party under his
control which is not possible. You can’t control everybody because PDP is not
your private party.
“So, we decided to leave him to go and do the job alone and
at the end of the day, that is the result we got in Lagos. That is the major
reason why PDP failed in Lagos.
“If not for the sympathy votes we got from people who are
tired of APC and felt there is a need for leadership change in Lagos state, we
could have gotten lesser votes in the governorship election. To be frank, our
governorship candidate was our problem in Lagos State.
“He defeated the party and defeated himself. The most
unfortunate thing is that he doesn’t feel the pain of what he has caused. Also,
there was mismanagement of resources too because everybody left him to his fate
to do whatever pleased him ”.