A chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Prince Buruji Kashamu, has said contrary to the claim of former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, that he never had anything to do with him, the two of them worked together to produce the platform used by Chief Tunji Olurin for the 2011 governorship election in Ogun State.
Obasanjo had, in a letter sent to President Goodluck Jonathan, which was made public last week, warned the president to distance himself from Kashamu, who he referred to as “a shameless criminal.”
But in a statement issued by Kashamu on Sunday, the PDP chieftain stressed that the claim by Obasanjo was false, adding that “I am not ashamed to say ex-President Obasanjo was my adopted political father and I was also his adopted political godson.
“I was one of his foot soldiers and partners. We planned and executed many things together. When it was convenient for him, I was his right hand man.”
Kashamu said not only did he have a relationship with the former president, he (Obasanjo) also introduced him to a number of people.
According to him, “Chief Obasanjo denied introducing me to the presidency. But can he deny that we wined and dined together in the past? Can he deny knowledge of my closeness to his daughter, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, especially during the events leading to the 2011 general election?
“Can he deny that he introduced me to some leaders of the PDP in the South West, such as the Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade; his Agric counterpart, Dr Adesina Akinwunmi; and Mr Segun Oni, among others, as his political son in whom he was well pleased?
“Can he deny that he introduced me to the former acting chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje and other officials of the PDP-led Federal Government during the events leading to the 2011 general election, especially as it relates to Ogun Sate and my role in the whole scenario?
“Can he deny that he openly praised me to high heavens at various public fora and rallies, including during the reception I organised for the former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye? Why is it that it is now that he is calling me names and blaming the presidency for condoning me?
Describing the letter to the president as self-serving, satanic and mischievous, Kashamu said Obasanjo only intended to dent his image because he felt he had robbed him of the PDP structure in the South-West.
Kashamu, who debunked the claim that the United States (US) was requesting for his extradition, said “the truth is that I have not committed any offence and nobody has ever requested for my extradition. If there is anything to the contrary, I challenge Obasanjo and his cronies to produce it or forever remain silent.”
He added that “even when they have refused to see or hear; I yet refer them to the INTERPOL report which exonerated me of any wrongdoing, both locally and internationally.
“It is dated March 4, 2008. The INTERPOL, in the six-page report signed by ACP Haruna H. Mshelia for the Commissioner of Police (INTERPOL), particularly at Clause XI says contrary to the allegation, the suspect was not found to have engaged in fraudulent/clandestine activities, as all records were checked both locally and internationally and all our probes were returned negative. The suspect was never declared wanted or convicted either in Nigeria or anywhere in the world.’”
Kashamu, who stated that he had been running his businesses since the 1980s, added that he had neither visited nor lived in the US before.
Source: Tribune
