By Daud Olatunji

ABEOKUTA—The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State, Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka has denied the alleged rift between him and his political godfather, former governor of the state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, describing it as a mere speculation.

Speaking on his alleged strained relationship with Daniel, Isiaka said “I picked my flag as governorship candidate of the PDP on Thursday, I think for anybody that watched, he (Daniel) was standing firmly behind me, that is the peak of it. What that means is that I am here and I am for the ticket any other thing is just insinuation”.

Isiaka however, disagreed with the state party Chairman, Adebayo Dayo, who described former Speaker, Dimeji Bankole as a paperweight politician in the party.

He described Bankole as a valuable member of the party whose contribution would boost PDP’s chances in the state.

Commenting on Bankole, he said “That is the opinion of the party chairman and is entitled to his opinion he remains our party chairman. As far as I am concerned, Honourable Dimeji Bankole is a valuable member of the party. We are talking to him, we know that his coming on board will also assist and we believed that everybody will work together and achieve our aim.

The governorship candidate stated this while speaking with newsmen at the annual new year Thanksgiving and memorial service organised by Daniel.

This is coming as one of the governorship aspirants and a member of House of Representatives from Ipokia/Yewa South federal constituency, Abiodun Akinlade threw his weight behind the ambition of Isiaka, asking the people of the state to cash their votes for him.

“I have met practically with virtually everybody, we have also met at various levels. I am not sure that there is anyone among them that I have not spoken to. I think that everything is fine.”

According to Akinlade, ”A time like this demands that we bury our hatchet, individual egos and ambition for the collective goal of our people. No doubt there is strength in Unity, because when united, there is possibly little we cannot do as a people in a host of cooperative ventures like the one at hand.”

“My dear good people, as the electioneering process reaches it’s feverish peak, we must realise that any effort to contribute to the development, empowerment, collective happiness of our people and the success of our party at polls must not be sparred whatever the circumstances”, he said