PDP chairmanship: Reported pressure on Bode George to step down not true —Aide

CHIEFTAIN of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including former deputy governors, Kofoworola Buknor- Akerele, Erelu Olusola Obada, Azeem Gbolarumi; Chief Ebenezer Babatope, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, Dapo Sarumi, all former ministers, National Vice Chairman PDP, Dr Eddy Olafeso, among others on Friday in Lagos boosted the ambition of Chief Olabode George for the office of PDP national chairman, affirming his rich experience and leadership qualities sufficient enough to make the party produce the country’s next president in 2019.

George, who is the former Deputy National Chairman of PDP formally declared his ambition to run for the party’s topmost office at a ceremony which took place at the City Hall on Lagos Island.

His ambition to contest for the office at the coming PDP National Convention also received a boost from an unusual quarter as former chairman of the party in Lagos State, Otunba Segun Adewale aka Aeroland of the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff’s camp, stormed the venue, pledging his support, declaring that Chief George was the man the PDP needed now for the job, being from Lagos.

Addressing the mammoth crowd of party leaders and faithful, including representatives from the six geo-political zones of the country, George, in his address titled, “A New Path, A New Beginning,” while acknowledging that PDP was at a crossroad, assured that he would deploy experience and wisdom to rescue and reposition it to regain power in 2019, if elected as its national chairman at the coming national convention.

This was just as he also assured that he would work with like minds to remove impunity, restore discipline and fair play, while insisting on internal democracy in the party, adding, “Together, we will remove impunity. Together, we will restore discipline and fair play. We will always insist on internal democracy.”

The PDP chieftain, who is the Atona of the Source, said he would work tirelessly to revive the dream and principles of the party’s founding fathers anchored on justice, fairness and equity as enshrined in its constitution.

George said as the PDP National Chairman, he would bring back the party’s dignity by working diligently to unite members while mending fences and healing old wounds for all to attain the collective aspiration of the once-ruling party, noting that this would be one of his first duties.

He also pledged to accord party officials at all levels the recognitions they all deserved while also protecting their interests.

Speaking further, the former PDP deputy national chairman said the party under his leadership would strive to revive Nigeria’s economy which has been battered, saying he would work with well-meaning members to secure presidential power for the party in 2019.

The Atona Oodua, however, said having actively served at the topmost echelon of PDP for 10 years and working with the most experienced members, his loyalty to the party had never been in doubt, a reason members should repose confidence in him to serve well as their national chairman.

“I have learned the ropes and I have been guided by the collective wisdom of our leaders across our great nation. I fully understand the precepts, the mechanisms and the constitution of our party.

“I know the tradition, the culture, the guiding ethos and the normative patterns that our leaders have built and nurtured for so many years. If elected, I am willing and ready to work with everyone regardless of personal differences to mend the broken places, to heal the ancient wounds, to reconcile the feuding factions and ultimately ensure that we strengthen our collective brotherhood and speak with one voice to regain victory in 2019.

“I will never compromise our foundational principles of justice, fairness and equity as enshrined in the constitution of our party. We will equally accord all our governors, and legislators at both state and national levels the necessary pride of place and honour in this new dawn. We will protect their interests and help to enhance their effectiveness.

“If I am given the privilege to serve, I will never play the role of an overlord. I will serve with dignity and diligence. I will respect the mighty and the law without discrimination. Together, we will remove impunity. Together, we will restore discipline and fair play. We will always insist on internal democracy,” he said.

He, however, thanked the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi and members of his Caretaker Committee on what he described as their commitment, loyalty and their ability to pull the party from the brink of collapse, saying that the Makarfi-led Committee had done a great work over the past one year.

He also commended stakeholders of PDP on their resolve to zone the chairmanship position to the South-West zone, describing the zoning arrangement as a veritable tool for stabilizing the PDP.

In his opening speech, former Minister of Transport, Chief Babatope, while offering his support for George’s ambition, described the PDP chieftain as a grassroots man when it comes to playing politics and truly serving the people.

He further described Chief George as a well-tested hand in PDP affairs, declaring that it was not the time for the party to go for experimentation of any kind, recalling that the chairmanship candidate had once led the PDP to victory in the South-West and at the national level and would still do it again.

Also speaking, former Minister of Communications, Chief Sarumi, said there was nobody as experienced and courageous in the party today as George, who he noted had gone through the ranks in running of PDP affairs.

“I don’t know of anybody in the South-West who has done that,” he said, recalling George’s role in the nationwide campaign to win the presidency for former President Umar Yar’Adua, among others.

According to Osun State former deputy Governor Obada, Chief George has paid his due to the PDP, saying his greater interest was for the growth and development of PDP and members generally.

She, therefore, enjoined party members and leaders to vote and ensure that George becomes the next national chairman of PDP in order to “bring PDP back to the Villa in 2019.”

It would be recalled that Chief Bode George had served as Zonal Vice Chairman, South-West; Deputy National Chairman, South and Deputy National Chairman overall, the second highest position in PDP, while he had also helped to resolve crises within the party in all geo-political zones of the federation.

Other PDP members that graced the formal declaration on Friday, include, former Minister of Special Duties, Elder Wole Oyelese; former PDP Chairman in Ogun State, Chief Joju Fadairo; Dr Abimbola Ogunkelu, former PDP Chairman, Lagos State, Captain Tunji Shelle; former Interim National Vice Chairman of PDP, Chief Ishola Filani.

Others include Hon Tajudeen Obasa, Chief Kehinde Kuku, Chief Tajudeen Oladipo, Mr Seyi Makinde, governorship aspirant, Oyo State; Aremo Femi Adetola, Chief Remi Akintoye, Hon Oladele Bankole Balogun, among others.