BY OLA AJAYI
The campaign rally for the presidential ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan was so colourful as all the powers that be in the politics of the South West added glamour to it with their attendance.

President Goodluck Jonathan (right) and former President Olusegun Obasanjo at the campaign, yesterday. Photo: State House, Abuja.

In his characteristic manner, the former President Olusegun Obasanjo danced to the rhythm of Wasiu Alabi, aka Pasuma, Rashidi Ayinde, Femi Lakasta and Nice who were invited to make the rally one of the best in the annals of the history of the ancient city of Ibadan.

Though, with a croaky voice, Chief Obasanjo sang songs like “winner ooo, winner… PDP you don win ooo, Let Jonathan continue with his good works, the crowd including women who were clad in different attires and intimidating head gears helped him out.

The “ebora Owu”(Deity of Owu) as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole described him(Obasanjo) danced with Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, the National Vice Chairman of the party, South West, Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo, the Acting National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Haliru Bello Mohammed, former Governors of Osun and Ondo States, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Engineer Segun Oni respectively.

President Jonathan spoke in an unusual tough way that many in the gathering continued to wonder why he took such a hard stance.
The speech was smooth until the end when he vowed that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party would get all the states in the South West zones from ‘rascals’ before 2015.

Though he did not mention any names but nobody needed a soothsayer to tell him that he was referring to the Action Congress of Nigeria.
Specifically, he mentioned that the ruling party must control Lagos State which has been in the firm grip of the Action Congress of Nigeria.

He said, “Lagos is a commercial centre and the ruling party must control the state. We will take over Ekiti, Osun and Ondo States. Before 2015, we will take over the South West. South West is too educated and civilized to be left in the hands of rascals”.

While underscoring the importance of the South West in the political scene in the country, he promised that the three states in the zone-Ekiti, Ondo and Osun States that are now being ruled by the ACN, would be taken over before 2015 when he would steer the ship of the country if given the mandate.

President Jonathan spoke extensively on the security situation in the country promising that no stone would be left unturned to ensure the security of lives and property.

According to him, the era of committing crime with impunity is over and everything would be done to improve on the security situation in the country.

He promised the country that most of our industries would be reactivated and steps would be taken to enhance the economy.
On the power generation, he noted he was aware of the important role that power plays in the economy of a nation and as at now, the country is generating about 4,000 megawatts which would be improved upon.

While speaking, Chief Obasanjo was realistic in his comments. Much as he pledged his support for President Jonathan, he warned that some areas in the country were still begging for attention.

He said, “Nothing should be taken for granted. We do know that there are areas crying for attention-security, unemployment of youths, corruption and infrastructure. These can’t be neglected. As for me, I take solace in the fact that President Goodluck Jonathan who has gone through the period of tutelage would work”.

He justified the reason for supporting him in his presidential quest. According to him,  “with the political history of our country, the unity will be strengthened if a person from the minority group from South-South. With the things happening, we have been proved right”.

Akala, the host governor assured the president that since previous presidents who had ruled the country visited the ancient Mapo Hall won their elections, Jonathan’s would not be an exception.

Governor Akala assured the president of his support and that he needed not to be weary about the votes of his people.
He boasted that it was not possible that he, the president would contest election and lose.

Towards the end of the rally, the acting National Chairman of the Alhaji Bello Haliru Mohammed who was flanked by the National Vice Chairman, South West Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo handed the party’s flags to Governor Akala, Mr. Adegboyega Dosunmu, Adetunji Olurin as PDP governorship flagbearers for Oyo, Lagos and Ogun States respectively.

Also, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole received the party’s flag on behalf of the candidates for the lower chamber.

Bankole urged the people to vote for President Jonathan and Governor Akala saying the party should be commended for giving room to youths to contribute their own quota in the current political dispensation.

As for the zonal leader of the party, Alhaji Oladipo, he stressed the need for infrastructural development in the zone.

He promised that votes would be cast for the president from the zone.

Other important dignitaries at the rally were Mrs. Oluwakemi Alao-Akala, former Governor of Ekiti State, Engineer Segun Oni, Former Military Governor of Lagos State. Raji Rasaki, and other dignitaries.

As colourful and eventful as the event was, there were tell tale signs that all is not well with the party. The crowd looked much, but a closer assessment of the turn-out would reveal that the hydra-headed crises threatening the survival of the party in the zone took its toll on the attendance.

Before the rally was held, there were attempts by apparently some aggrieved aspirants to truncate the rally.

Earlier on Monday, a text message was sent by some anonymous people saying the rally had been postponed. Also, it was gathered that a radio station in Ogun State repeatedly announced that the rally would no longer hold and that it had been put off indefinitely.

Were it not for the timely efforts of the National Vice Chairman, South West, Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo who told the newsmen that public should disregard the information, the rally might not have witnessed the little crowd that attended.

Apparently as a result of the face-off between them and the national secretariat of the party over non-presentation of their names as the elected candidates, the coordinator of the Goodluck/Sambo Campagin Organization in the South West, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and the Senate leader, Senator Teslim Folarin, former Governor of Osun State, were conspicuously absent.

Their absenteeism may not be unconnected with the failure of the party to present them or any other candidates for the April poll.
Another thing that caused a stir was the presentation of the party’s flag to Bankole whose name was not among the ones on the list of INEC.

Many tongues were wagging why he should be the one to represent other candidates vying for the House of Representatives when some of the candidates were in attendance.

Vanguard gathered that there was a meeting before the Speaker agreed to come to the rally. And PDP, as usual may come up with another joker that could put the Speaker in the race.

The party is seeming walking on a tight rope with the issue of Gbenga Daniels who has already gone to court saying the candidates that emerged from the state congress that INEC and PDP officials attended were the authentic.

Like the party always says that it has a way of settling internal crises, it is hoped that the current crises in Oyo and Ogun would not nail the coffin of the party in the zone.

Unlike before, the party would have to work harder to remain in the government houses in Ogun and Oyo States as other parties will certainly give it a good run.