FORMER SPEAKER BANKOLE LAUNCHES POLITICAL GROUP, SAYS HE QUIT PDP

A former speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, has announced his intention to revive the Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party, with a warning against the imposition of candidates
by party leaders.
Mr. Bankole made this known on Friday, while hosting thousands of his supporters under the banner of Dimeji Bankole Movement, for a new year party at his residence in Onikolobo area of Abeokuta, the state capital.
Mr. Bankole was rumoured to be interested in the governorship race in 2015 in Ogun State, but suspended his bid after party financier, Buruji Kashamu, who is now a senator, allegedly imposed Gboyega Isiaka as the party flag bearer.
Speaking Friday, Mr. Bankole warned the party leadership against any form of manipulation during the forthcoming party’s congress.
He said any attempt to impose candidates would lead to the experience of the 2015 poll, when the party split into many factions.
Mr. Bankole said he had no plan to leave the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as being insinuated.
“It is almost two years now. I commend your perseverance. I now know the differences. The outcome of the congress would determine the political future of PDP in the state,” Mr. Bankole said.

The state secretary of the Bankole Political Movement, Johnson Fatoki, however declared that the group would leave with the former speaker to any political party he chooses in the state if the state leadership fails to unite all factions within the party.
The former speaker later went into a closed-door meeting with senior members of his political group from the various local government areas in the state.