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Tag: Bode George

  • Bode George to Buhari, Obasanjo: Let’s sheath the sword

    A former deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),Chief Olabode George, yesterday asked President Muhammadu Buhari and former President Olusegun Obasanjo to  ceasefire in the ongoing standoff between  them.

    Obasanjo, in a statement on Friday, alleged plot by agents of the federal government to terminate his life on account of what he called his campaign for Buhari not to seek re-election.

    Information and Culture Minister, Lai Mohammed, in a swift response to the allegation, said government was not interested in killing Obasanjo or any Nigerian for that matter.

    However, George, in a reaction to the spat, said having read the statements from the two sides, he saw “nothing sinister in their motives.”

    He said: “As a military man, I know these senior officers very well. I have worked at close quarters with the two of them. I have no doubt about their selfless commitments to our nation.

    “I am appealing to the two personages as a junior officer to sheath their swords and resolve their differences behind the curtain. That is the military style. We don’t wash our dirty linens in the open.

    “Naturally, we can disagree, raise our voices, stamp our feet in disapproval, but never in the open. The essence of the esprit de corps is about mutual felicity and respect for each other. Pray, let’s keep it that way. Nigeria is greater than all of us.

    “For the purpose of clarity and historic objectivity, I write in non-partisan arbitration. The differences of my party with this administration are clear and obvious. We insist on the restructuring of the Nigerian Union to ensure democratic balance, equity, and the ingredients of fairness. On these solid points I remain committed.”

     

  • Tinubu, Ambode condole with Bode George

    All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode have condoled with former Deputy National Chairman, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, on the death of his son, Dipo.

    Dipo, who died last week after a brief illness, will be buried today in Lagos.

    In his condolence letter to George on behalf of his family, Asiwaju Tinubu urged the bereaved father to accept their condolences and sympathy.

    “It is for us to keep in remembrance the good person that your son was and to honour him by living up to ideals of charity and love towards all.

    “I pray that God bestows on you and your family a special grace to strengthen and carry on through this moment,” Tinubu said.

    In his letter, on behalf of the Lagos State government and his family, Ambode sympathised with George and prayed that the Almighty, who knows best, will give him the fortitude to bear the huge loss.

    “May you find the courage and strength to move forward knowing that he lived a good life,” the letter said.

  • Lagos PDP condoles with Bode George over son’s death

    The Lagos State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday condoled with a former Deputy-Chairman (South) of the party, Chief Olabode George, over the death of his son, Dipo.

    Dipo died in a Lagos hospital after a protracted ailment. He was 42.

    State’s party chairman Moshood Salvador, in a statement after a condolence visit to the George family, said the Lagos chapter was devastated by the news.

    He said the party shared in the grief of the family at the trying period.

    Salvador prayed for the peaceful repose of the deceased, while praying to God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

    “May the care and love of those around you provide peace and comfort to get you through the days ahead.

    “I hope our Lord brings you and your family the much needed peace during this testing time.

    “Our condolences to the entire George family over this irreparable loss”, he said.

  • Breaking: Bode George withdraws from PDP chairmanship race

    Breaking: Bode George withdraws from PDP chairmanship race

    One of the frontline contenders for the position of national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George has withdrawn from the race.
    While stating that he did not withdrawal for any candidate, George said it was wrong for the party not to have zoned the office of the national chairman.
    Details shortly.
  • PDP chairmanship: Bode George challenges co-aspirants to public debate

    PDP chairmanship: Bode George challenges co-aspirants to public debate

    A Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) national chairmanship aspirant, Chief Bode George, has challenged other contestants to an open debate on their vision and agenda for the party.

    This was contained in a statement issued by his political adviser and media aide, Mr Uthman Fadipe on Sunday.

    According to the statement, George gave the challenge during his visit to party delegates in Sokoto on Saturday as part of his campaign tour of the country.

    He said whoever wanted to lead the party should come a debate that would showcase the norms and traditional values of the party.

    The former PDP Vice-Chairman told the delegates that he was a committed party man who would deliver the best if elected.

    He also said that the micro-zoning of the national chairmanship to the South West would be in the best interest of the party.

    George said this was in line with the resolve of the founding fathers to promote equity and balance in the distribution of party offices.

    He praised the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III for his patriotism and embracing of all Nigerians irrespective of their faith or tribe.

    The party has fixed Dec. 9 for its elective convention.

    NAN

  • Bode George consistent, dogged, says Ayade

    Bode George consistent, dogged, says Ayade

    Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade has described Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship aspirant  Chief Olabode George as a dogged icon of purity, purpose, sagacity, finesse and political suavity.

    Ayade said this yesterday when he received George in his office in Calabar.  George was in Calabar to mobilise delegates for the December 9 convention.

    The governor enjoined the Cross River State people to support George’s aspiration. He also invited him to the extraordinary Calabar carnival in December.

    The meeting between George and Ayade was laced with warmth.

    Director-General of the Bode George Campaign Organisation  Alhaji Ibrahim Aliu, praised George for his doggedness and steadfast resolve throughout his partisan service in PDP.

    The aspirant hailed the governor and Cross River people for resisting the political tsunami that swept the PDP out of power in 2015.

    He observed that since the Supreme Court judgment which restored sanity to the party, the PDP must remain on the path of straight, strong revival so as to reclaim the presidential seat.

    George said the National Convention should be like a carnival. He insisted the contest must never be a do-or-die affair.

    However, the PDP’s legitimate urge to regain power in 2019 is the reason Prince Uche Secondus is the front-runner for the office of the National Chairman, his campaign office said yesterday.

    The statement said the PDP is in a hurry to return to power in 2019 and cannot afford learners on the political party’s rudiments at this time.

    “The party after suffering all the distractions from the Sheriff’s unfortunate interventions, is anxious to hit the ground running to cover lost grounds and launch the party to winning ways once again.

    “Secondus’ experience and disarming human relations are the most potent ingredients for him now because of the urgent harmonious environment the party would need immediately after the convention to confront the challenges ahead,” the statement said.

    The statement said as a committed loyal party man, who had held virtually all critical positions in the party at various levels, Secondus stood out well-equipped more than anybody in the race at this time to take the PDP back to power.

  • Bode George: micro zoning best for PDP

    Bode George: micro zoning best for PDP

    National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party  (PDP) aspirant Chief Olabode George, has insisted that the party stood a greater chance with micro zoning and equity.

    George spoke after weekend’s Enugu meeting during a visit to the Port Harcourt Zonal Office of the party yesterday. He said all party positions were micro zoned because of the need to give every section of the nation a sense of belonging and accommodation.

    He said the stability and uniqueness of PDP had always been the novelty of micro zoning of the offices.

    This is against the plan to throw the chairmanship open to all three zones in the south instead of allowing the south west geo-political zone, yet to produce a national chairman, to get it.

    He praised the founding fathers for their originality and wisdom as established in the zonal balancing.

    The  PDP Zonal National Chairman, South South, Mr Emmanuel Ogidi received George to the Port Harcourt Zonal office, saying George had always been a friend of the zone especially when things were tough.

    George observed that the party had gone through a tsunami but that the South South zone had remained resolute and firm.

    He recalled how his team worked very hard to reposition the party in the Southwest when he occupied the position of the National Vice Chairman (Southwest).

    He said his team had toured the 137 local governments in the Southwest more than five times.

    “In the end, five states were won. Yet I was railroaded into prison”, he said. .

    George insisted that he would never leave PDP no matter the outcome of the convention.

    He was presented with a copy of the Holy Bible.

  • PDP chairman aspirants to sign peace accord – Dokpesi

    PDP chairman aspirants to sign peace accord – Dokpesi

    Chief Raymond Dokpesi, the one of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) National Chairmanship aspirants, has said that all the eight chairmanship aspirants would sign a peace accord as part of their commitment toward successful convention.

    Dokpesi, the founder of Daar Communications, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen after the PDP Governors Forum met with all aspirants in Enugu, which ended at early hour of Monday.

    Dokpesi disclosed that all the aspirants had agreed to sign the peace accord at the party’s national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, by 4 p.m.

    He described the move as part of efforts by the aspirants to ensure that the party comes out of the convention  stronger and united.

    “With that accord being signed we are going to look forward to a very peaceful and harmonious convention.”

    Asked if the issue of zoning came up at the meeting of the forum with the aspirants, Dokpesi said the party was explicit enough on the issue of zoning.

    He said that while the party’s presidential ticket was zoned to the North, the position of chairman’s was zone to the South, without specific reference to  states or geopolitical region.

    He said that the candidates had agreed to work together

    “After the zoning principle, all the aspirants have agreed to work together to come up with a common position. Anybody can contest.

    “If the party in its wisdom and the aspirants agreed within themselves and notify the party early enough that would be fine.”

    Also asked if the issue of a consensus  candidate was deliberated at the meeting Dokpesi said “no, but that did not mean there were no discussion among the aspirants.

    “Today on the way forward, a few of the aspirants met in the morning and in the afternoon and discussed which solution can be adopted.”

    Dokpesi added that following the meeting  he would go ahead with his campaign and consultation to fulfill his ambition.

    The Governor of Ekiti and Chairman of the Forum, Mr Ayodele Fayose, said that the party national convention, schedule for Dec. 9, would be a world class  that other political parties would emulate.

    Fayose said that the party had work hard and it has all it takes to win the Saturday Anambra Governorship election.

    “We are using this opportunity to demand that the election should be credible. It should not only be credible but seen to be credible.

    “We want to believe that Nigeria is of age to organise election that is acceptable at home and internationally, on Nov. 18 in Anambra,” Fayose added

    In attendance were the Chairman of the party’s National Caretaker Committee, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, all the PDP governors, except Ebonyi represented by his deputy.

    Other aspirants at the meeting were Chief Bode George, Gbenga Daniel, Prince Uche Secondus, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, Jimi Agbaje, Taoheed Adedoja and Rashid Ladoja.

    Also in attendance were Ike Ekweremadu, the Deputy President of the Senate; Gabriel Susuwan, former Benue Governor, Adolphus Nwabara and Sule Lamido.

    NAN

  • BOT wants the best for PDP, says Adeniran

    BOT wants the best for PDP, says Adeniran

    A national chairmanship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ), Prof. Tunde Adeniran, said on Monday that his endorsement alongside two other aspirants by the South West caucus of the party ‘s Board of Trustees ( BOT ) was for the party’s progress.

    The BOT caucus had in a document issued on Nov. 3 endorsed Adeniran, a former Minister of Education; Chief Bode George, former Deputy National Chairman of the party, and Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, a former Minister of Sports, for the party ‘s top position.

    Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun, who signed the document on behalf of other members of the caucus, said the decision was to ensure the South West produced the next chairman and that quality leadership should at the convention.

    He said in arriving at the three candidates, the members considered such factors as acceptability, vision, experience, perception by members, winning chances, educational exposure among others.

    Oyedokun said the move was also to reduce election expenditure and avoid splitting of south west votes, and the ultimate objective was to arrive at a consensus candidate for the zone.

    He, however, said the endorsement was without prejudice to the right of aspirants to contest and did not preclude aspirants like former Ogun state governor, Chief Gbenga Daniel; former Oyo governor, Sen. Rasheed Ladoja; and a chieftain of the party in Lagos State, Mr Jimi Agbaje, from contesting at the convention.

    Reacting, Adeniran told NAN through the Director -General of his campaign organisation, Chief Olukayode Akindele in Lagos that what the BOT members had done was for the progress of the party.

    He said what the PDP needed was a strong leadership, and that was what the BOT members aimed to achieve with the endorsement.

    “The prunning down of aspirants to three by the BOT members is a step in the right direction.

    “These are elders in the party who know what is good for the party and have taken a step to ensure the party gets the best.

    “It is not about personalities; it is about leadership. It is about giving the best to the party at this critical time that we are coming out of some challenges.

    “They have not said those not shortlisted cannot contest; they are only saying the endorsed aspirants meet important criteria necessary for leadership.

    “It is a step in the right direction, and for us, we thank the Almighty God for the endorsement,” he said.

    Adeniran insisted that he remained the best out of the three shortlisted candidates to lead the party to glory.

    He said he was a consistent and a dedicated member who had been with the party through thick and thin.

    The former minister said as a founding member of the party, he knew the party inside out and had the experience to pilot it to greatness.

    He expressed the hope and confidence that he would emerge the next chairman of the party based on the support he enjoyed among party members.

    The party will elect new national executive officers at its national convention on Dec. 9.

  • PDP Chairmanship: Bode George will not step down – Babatope

    PDP Chairmanship: Bode George will not step down – Babatope

    A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ebenezer Babatope, said former National Vice-Chairman of the party (South), Chief Olabode George, remained the best candidate for the party’s national chairman.

    Babatope, who is leading George’s campaign organisation for his aspiration in the Dec. 9 convention of the party, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday that George had the ability to lead the party.

    He described as “improper” the call by a group within the party on George to step down for a younger candidate ahead of the convention.

    The group, “Renaissance’’, made up of some ex-governors and National Assembly members have reportedly backed former governor of Ogun, Mr Gbenga Daniel, as the party’s chairman.

    But, Babatope said George would never step down for anyone as experience, maturity and passion, more than anything else was required to reposition the party.

    “How can anyone say George should step down for a more youthful candidate? No, that is wrong, George will never step down for anybody.

    “What the party needs at this point in time is someone with maturity, experience and passion to reposition the party and return it to winning ways.

    “I can tell you that Chief Bode George is an embodiment of all that. He is experienced, tested and trusted. He is a stickler to the philosophies of the party and he will deliver.

    “You see, the elders can’t be governors but they give directions to the youths based on their experience.

    “The issue of youthfulness does not come in here; George is the best to lead the party,’’ he said.

    He said there should be an open field for anybody to aspire to the chairmanship position of the party rather than calling people to step down for others.

    Babatope, a former Minister of Transportation, said that Prof. Tunde Adeniran, another contender for the position, was his personal friend but that he believed George would do better owing to his track records.

    He said George’s campaign organisation would soon begin aggressive electioneering ahead of the convention.

    “We will soon begin a nationwide campaign for George’s aspiration. We are going to move round the country and mobilise party support for this great candidate,’’ he said.

    Babatope expressed optimism that the former military administrator of old Ondo state would emerge victorious at the convention.

    NAN recalls that shortly after its non-elective convention in August, the National Caretaker Committee of PDP announced that it would its main convention on Dec. 9 to election a new national executive of the party. (NAN)