By GBENGA OLARINOYE

OSOGBO — The three governorship aspirants of the Bamanga Tukur led faction of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Osun State, yesterday, ignored the 24 hours ultimatum given to them  to dissociate themselves from the new PDP,  nPDP.

The state chairman of PDP, Alhaji Ganiyu Olaoluwa had on Monday directed Alhaji Fatai Akinbade,  Wole Oke and Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi, three of its four gubernatorial aspirants  to within 24 hours dissociate themselves from the Abubakar Kawu Baraje led faction of PDP or face sanction.

One of the  aspirants,  Akinbade had earlier accused Alhaji Olaoluwa of lacking the leadership quality to administer the party affairs in the state.

Similarly, Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi described the threat as an empty one, saying  his loyalty with President Goodluck Jonathan was not in doubt, having served in the same Federal Executive Council with him for four years.

Reacting to 24-hour ultimatum to dissociate themselves from the new PDP, Senator Akinlabi in a statement by the director, media and strategy of his campaign organsation, Ayo Aluko-Olokun, said: ”It is rather sad and painful that whilst all well meaning members and elders of the PDP across the country are seeking a solution to the contrived crisis, some others are stoking the fire of discord and further pulling the Party apart.”

“Senator Olasunkanmi needs no prompting, threat or intimidation from any quarters to restate his unequivocal loyalty to the leadership of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, with whom he served in the FEC for four years and his commitment to the legitimate PDP that provided the platform for him to be elected as a Senator and appointed as a Minister.

”It is therefore, absolutely illogical, uncalled for and preposterous asking him to dissociate himself from a statement that never emanated from him or his CampaignOrganisation in the first instance.

“The times we are in call for caution and restraint in the words and actions of all our Party members, followers and leaders alike. Since the crisis broke out August 31, 2013, Senator Olasunkanmi has been in the vanguard of those seeking amicable settlement. As a bridge-builder, he had at several times brokered peaceful settlement of all intra-party differences.