Former governor of Ekiti State, Chief Segun Oni has warned controversial businessman and self-appointed Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader in Ogun State and the South-West zone, Mr. Buruji Kashamu, not to drag his name into his (Kashamu) "messy political battle," with former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Bode George and other credible PDP leaders in the South West.

Reacting to comment credited to Kashamu in some newspapers today that Bode George was the one who instigated him (Oni) to file the suit against the conduct of the party's South West zonal congress, the former Governor, who spoke through his Media Aide, Mr Lere Olayinka said, "he does not need anyone to fight for his rights through the instruments of the law."

Olayinka, who described Kashamu’s comment as unfortunate, added that; "those who genuinely love the PDP in the South West would be interested in the resolution of all issues affecting the party not the installation of their stooge through a pre-determined congress."

He reiterated that the Zonal Congress that produced Oni as the National Vice Chairman of the PDP was the brainchild of notable leaders of the party in the zone, with former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in attendance, pointing out that; "Buruji Kashamu's manipulations that led to the nullification of the zonal congress was a direct affront on the leaders of the party, including former president Obasanjo.

The statement read; "We wish to state that we take exception to the claim by Mr. Buruji Kashamu that Chief Bode George instigated Oni to file the suit against the conduct of the zonal congress.

"That to us is an insult and Kashamu should be mindful of the way he goes about his desperation to establish his control of the PDP South West Exco.

"He should be reminded that Oni has an integrity that no one can rubbish and Oni is known to have treated all the leaders of the PDP with due respect including Kashamu himself

"Most importantly, the public should know that the ruling of the Ado-Ekiti High Court of August 20, 2013 was clear and unambiguous.

"The court which refused to grant an interim injunction said; ”all parties are advised to maintain the status quo pending the hearing of the motion on notice," and the status quo as at the day the ruling was made was that; no congress had been held and the zonal caretaker committee had seized to exist owing resignation of its members to contest elections at the zonal congress. This has not been varied by any order of the same or superior Court.

"Furthermore, we wish to state that even with or without the court advising parties to maintain status quo, it is trite in law that; when a Motion on Notice is pending before a Court of law and same has being served on all Parties, all the Parties are expected to fold their arms and refrain from doing anything capable of overreaching the pending application.

"In EZEGBU VS. FATB LTD (1992) 1 NWLR, Niki Tobi JCA (as he then was) stated: 'Therefore once a Party is aware of a pending Court process, and whether the Court has not given a specific injunctive Order, Parties are bound to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the Court process.'

"Therefore, holding a Zonal Congress during the pendency of the Motion on Notice before the court in Ado-Ekiti, which has been adjourned till September 3, 2013 for hearing and other suits pending before other Courts, including the SUPREME COURT of Nigeria would be tantamount to 'giving effect to the purported dissolution of the South West Zonal Committee headed by Chief Segun Oni,' which would be unlawful and illegal.

"It is on this note that we advise Buruji Kashamu to let sanity prevail in our party by supporting the Rule of law and stopping his campaign of calumny against respected leaders of our party who are labouring day and night to return the party into the right and credible path."