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  • Lagos PDP celebrates Jandor at 47

    Lagos PDP celebrates Jandor at 47

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State has felicitated the party’s 2023 governorship candidate, Dr Abdul-Azeez Adediran (Jandor), on his 47th birthday.

    The party’s Publicity Secretary, Alh. Hakeem Amode, in a statement on Monday in Lagos, celebrated Adediran for his leadership style and commitment to democracy.

    “We join countless well-wishers in celebrating the special day with you, appreciating the grace of God that has blessed you with strength, health and unyielding determination.

    “As a party, we take immense pride in your unwavering commitment to democracy and the ideals of good governance.

    “Your exceptional resilience and leadership during the last elections proved that power indeed resides with the people, even in the face of challenges.

    “Though the ultimate electoral victory eluded us, we consider your efforts a triumph.

    “We are confident that the seeds you have planted in Lagos State’s democratic landscape will bear fruit, and history will remember you as a catalyst for positive change,” he said.

    Amode said that Adediran’s birthday reminded the party “of the remarkable qualities you embody – an inspiring reformer, a unifier, a philanthropist and a visionary leader.”

    Read Also: Jandor welcomes Doherty to PDP

    He said that Adediran remained a symbol of hope and beacon of progress, with a clear plan to transform Lagos into a thriving, modern metropolis worthy of its vast resources and potential.

    “On this special occasion, we pray for God’s continued guidance, wisdom and strength upon you.

    “May your aspirations to serve and uplift Lagos State come to fruition, bringing your dreams of a better future for all to reality,” the publicity secretary said.

    (NAN)

  • Lagos PDP founding members move to revive party

    Lagos PDP founding members move to revive party

    • Align with Jandor, others

    The PRIMROSE Movement, comprising founding members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, has aligned with 2023 party’s governorship candidate, Dr Abdul-Azeez Adediran’s (Jandor’s) camp, to revive the party.

    The movement, led by Chief Dapo Sarumi, former Information minister, also aligned with the loyalists of the PDP Deputy National Secretary, Mr Setonji Koshoedo, to bring the party to its feet in the state.

    Mr Gbenga Ogunleye, spokesperson for the 2023 Lagos PDP governorship candidate, made this known in a statement in Lagos.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the main opposition party has been beset by leadership crises at the national level and across most states, including Lagos.

    Read Also; Unending grid collapse

    Ogunleye said the movement in the alliance set up Lagos PDP’s Elders Council to give direction to the party in the state.

    He said: “Members of the movement on October 26, along with other prominent elders of the party, established Lagos PDP Elders Council, with the primary responsibility of giving direction to the party.”

    Ogunleye said the council appointed Chief Taiwo Kuye and Mr Shamsudeen Arobieke as coordinator and administrative secretary.

    He said Chief Okanlawon Oshoba, Alhaji Arilesere, Pa Shakiru Oladunjoye, Alhaji Kareem Mohammed, among other party elders, would serve as trustees.

    Ogunleye said members of the newly established Lagos PDP Elders Council expressed their reservation about the current situation of the party.

    He added that they pledged to revive the vision of the founding fathers of the party in Lagos State.

    He said Sarumi and Chief Stephen Bakare expressed commitment to charting winning ways for the party in future elections.

    Ogunleye said Kuye decried incessant inability of the party to efficiently offer itself as the leading opposition party and the credible alternative to the ruling party.

    He said elders of the party across the state, as represented in the newly established council, would rally other well-meaning members of the party “to synergise in serving as the conscience of the party.”

    He said Alhaji Olayinka Arilesere, a prominent leader of the Primrose movement, also reminisced on the history of the party and the aspirations of the founding members.

    According to him, the party elder enjoined members to embrace the politics of ideology rather than stomach infrastructure and pecuniary interest, “which are the motives of some politicians today.”

  • Can Lagos PDP rise above its multi-dimensional crises?

    Can Lagos PDP rise above its multi-dimensional crises?

    The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is doing a post-mortem of its electoral defeat in last year’s governorship poll and trying to reconcile aggrieved members. Deputy Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the causes of consistent failures as the party projects into the future

    It is a moment of truth for the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State. They were locked in sober reflection last week as they gathered for the assessment of their consistent poor showing during the periodic governorship elections.

    At the parley convened in Ikeja by a chieftain, Tony Ogungbe, they also projected into the future. The meeting was attended by some foundng fathers, including Dr. Bimbo Ogunkelu, former Minister of Regional Integration in West Africa, Chief Olabode George, former Deputy National Chairman and permanent Board of Trustees (BoT) member; Alhaji Muritala Ashorobi, former state chairman, and David Aivoji, chairman of the chapter.

    The former governorship candidate, Jide Adediran (Jandor) and his group were absent.

    At the end of brainstorming session, the party vowed to return to the drawing board and restrategise for 2027. At a time Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is president, the opposition party in Lagos, his base,  barking. But, can it really bite?

    To the party chieftains, PDP can dislodge the more formidable All Progressives Congress (APC) and occupy Lagos State Government Government House, if it puts its house in order. They acknowledged the multiple crises tearing apart the chapter and resolved to embark on reconciliation.

    It appears that Lagos PDP leaders have only  attributed the poor performance of the party to disunity in the fold.

    George said: “As a life member of the Board of Trustees (BoT), the Upper Chamber and the conscience of our party, my appeal today is to all members, young and old, from the North to the South, that we have another golden opportunity, before the next election in 2027, to bury our differences and put on our thinking caps.

    “We should do everything humanly possible to ensure that the PDP does not go into the dustbin of history in 2027. God forbid this should happen to our party. So, this is the time for all elders and members of PDP to be concerned about the future of our great party.”

    Since 2003, Lagos PDP has always been hit by scarcity of loyal and competent chieftains to fly its governorship flag. It has always depended on the ruling parties –Alliance for Democracy (AD), Action Congress (AC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and All Progressives Congress (APC) — for the supply of governorship candidates. After hibernating in the party for some time, some of them usually retrace their steps to the ruling party.

    The candidate of PDP for the 1999 election, Chief Dapo Sarunmi, lost to Tinubu. It was ironic because the eminent politician was Tinubu’s leader in the Third Republic Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Primose, the highly influential caucus that rubbed shoulders with Lateef Jakande’s ‘Ase Group.’ In fact, the former governor later tried to sincerely woo Sarunmi with the Lagos East senatorial ticket in memory of the good old days. But, Sarunmi declined the offer.

    In 2003, the chapter saw a big catch in the late Funso Wiiliams, a reputable engineer, former Works commissioner and former AD governorship aspirant. However, the party lost its deposit, despite the federal might and threat  by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    Four years later, the PDP hired another AD defector, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, who lost to Governor Babajide Fashola. The PDP leader, George, had thrown his weight behind Hilda, widow of Funso Williams. Suddenly, ‘Mr Fix It’ Tony Anenih stormed the National Stadium, Surulere, venue of the primary. When he got to Abuja, he told the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) that it appeared to him that the only person who could win for the party was ‘Koro. Indeed, the party was hopeful because defectors from AD, including Senator Seye Ogunlewe, the late Senator Wahab Dosunmu, Obafemi Davies, Olawale Idris, Tugbubo, Onimole, Ajisebutu, had swelled its ranks. But, it amounted to day dreaming.

    Read Also: At last, pay rise

    In 2011, it appeared the party was tired of defectors. It adopted Dr. Ade Dosunmu as its flagbearer. But, he was defeated by Fashola. Therefore, in 2015, it returned to its old style of relying on defectors. The lot fell on the Afenifere chieftain, Jimi Agbaje of Democratic Peoples Alliance (DPA), a successful pharmacist, to fly the PDP flag. It was futile. At the close of the poll, he was defeated by Akinwunmi Ambode, former Accountant-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance.

    Agbaje has remained popular, but he could not defeat Ambode’s successor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in the 2019 poll. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was about announcing the result when Agbaje called Sanwo-Olu on phone to concede defeat. Not only were PDP supporters assailed by vote fatigue, the ruling APC had waxed stronger.

    Last year, Lagos PDP boasted that the end had come for the APC in the Centre of Excellence. Again, it was obvious that the party was in want of a candidate. Although Gbadebo Vivour, a former senatorial candidate, applied for the flag, certain considerations made the leadership of the party to gravitate towards another defector from the APC, Adediran, who had warmed himself into some grassroots people in Ojo Council through some philanthropic activities.

    It paled into a miscalculation. Vivour was prevailed upon to step down for Adediran by party elders, including George, with a promise that he would become running mate.

    But, politics is a slippery field. When Adediran returned to the elders after the shadow poll, he pleaded with them to allow Funke Akindele, a popular actress, to pair with him. Gradually, the elders started to distance themselves from the Jandor/Funke ticket.

    Also, Vivour defected to the Labour Party (LP), the ‘structureless’ platform of Peter Obi, which shook Lagos by securing the highest number of votes during the presidentialelection, but failed to repeat the feat during the governorship poll.

    Thus, it is now part of the political history of Lagos that in all the seven periodic governorship elections in Lagos State, Lagos PDP lost because it could not withstand the arsenal of the ruling party. According to party elders, last year’s election result was the worst for PDP. The party lost its deposit. It came  third, trailing LP, which came second.

    Addicted to crisis, PDP has suffered from internal bickering, leadership instability and defections from the fold. All the stages of crisis have taken huge tolls on the decimated platform. Party insiders said effective crisis resolution mechanism is absent. But, it is incontrovertible too that APC, and its taproots-AD, AC and ACN-were more popular in Lagos, a state often described as the heartbeat of the progressives.

    Yet, the foundation of PDP in Lagos was beautiful. Its pioneer chairman, Olorunfunmi Basorun, a progressive politician and former Secretary to Government in the Second Republic, found himself in the midst of strange, conservative bedfellows. The secretariat was a theatre of intrigues and mistrust. Suddenly, Basorun was commaded by President Obasanjo to handover to Ashorobi. He later faced trial by a party panel over unsubstantiated allegations. Years later, he returned to the progressive fold, his natural habitat.

    From Ashorobi, the mantle of leadership fell on the insurance magnate, Chief Alaba Williams, Ajiroba of Lagos. He moved the secretariat from one corner around Opebi, Ikeja to a more spacious place at GRA, Ikeja. Despite his efforts at repositioning the chapter, he was abruptly shoved aside. He was abroad when news got to him that Adebayo Williams had been appointed as caretaker chairman. The tenures of his sucessors, including Setonji Koshoedo, Captain Tunji Shelle, Goke Salvador and Deji Doherty, were not insulated from tension.

    As crisis continue to ravage the opposition party, its members started seeking refuge in the ruling party. Defetors, and indeed, other notable chieftains, , including Obanikoro, the late Ademola Adeniji-Adele, the late Demola Seriki, Pa Amingo, Remi Adikwu-Bakare, Olufemi Pedro, the late Pa Rafiu Jafojo, Yaya Dosunmu, Sesan Olanrewaju, the late Tunde Braimoh, the late Tunde Salau, Enoch Ajiboso, Dr. Wale Ahmed, Ogunlewe, Mrs. Kafilat Ogbara, and Bode Oyedele, left for the APC.

    When he returned to the APC, Jafojo told reporters in Lagos: “Obasanjo prevailed on me to go there. I met a different party; no organisation, no structure. They were just quarreling.”

    Reflecting on his sojourn in the PDP, where he completed his senatorial tenure and became a minister, Ogunlewe said “the platform is no match for Tinubu”.

    Few House of Assembly members elected on the platform of Lagos PDP also have a tradition of abandoning it ahead of next elections. They suddently became timid and often gravitated to the ruling party, where they secured an assurance of opportunity to recontest after negotiated detection.

    PDP performance in the local council elections has also been poor. Their councillors could be counted on finger prints. Where it had claimed victory, the ruling party has always dismantled its claims whenever the battle shifted from the ballot box to the tribunal.

    Indeed, their young and promising local government chairmanship and parliamentary aspirants have often ended in the ruling party where the tickets they sought in the PDP landed on their palms. Examples are Babajide Obanikoro, former House of Representatives member, and Moyosore Ogunlewe, lawyer-son of Senator Ogunlewe, who is now Kosofe Council chairman.

    But, the greatest factor in the PDP’s perpetual electoral loss is its inability to withstand the solid structure of the APC under the leadership of Tinubu. Its influence has been diminished by APC’s networks,  the political capital it had garnered due to Tinubu’s feats and the performance of his successors as governors. In politics, a power of incumbency properly wielded, is an invaluable asset. The APC structure has demonstrated its uncanny capacity to withstand stress and survive political storm.

    Giving an insight into its formidability, Sanwo-Olu told reporters in Lagos, ahead of the primary between him and Ambode, that the party has a time-tested legacy that has resonated with Lagosians. “This is the party of the people that caters for welfare,” he said, adding that “it is tested and trusted.”

    It is an understatement. Many leaders of AD/AC/ACN/APC have paid their dues. They have served the state meritoriously, either as key functionaries of previous progressive governments, actors in the days of the defunct Action Group (AG) and Unity Party of Nigeria ( UPN), pro-democracy fighters under the banners of Afenifere and National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), or as gerontocratic monitor of the Lagos administrations from 1999 to date.

    There is no iota of leadership tussle in the APC. For example, while the ruling parties — which are one — have only produced five chairmen (Ganiyu Dawodu, Abiodun Ogunleye, Oladele Ajomale, Tunde Balogun and Cornelius Ojelabi), the PDP has produced nine, the nineth person being Tayo Alasoadura, also a caretaker chairman for a brief period.

    Crisis resolution appears relatively easier in APC where there is a Governance Advisory Council (GAC), an advisory committee of experienced politicians and leaders, who are held in esteem by party faithful. Except when there is occassional intra-party revolt over nominations in some constituencies, costly rebellions are prevented through timely intervention.

    Above all, party supremacy and discipline are never compromised in Lagos APC, where there is also an opportunity for ventilation of grievances by aggrieved stalwarts.

    Whether the PDP is tapping from the ideas of the ruling party or not is not certain. But, the main opposition figures, led by George, agreed that they should put their house in order ahead of 2027.

    George said inclusion should be the watchword, stressing that victory at the poll is conditional on unity and cohesion.

    He said: “Some might say 2027 is still far away, but realistically, it is not. By 2026, two years from now, politicking will start for the 2027 elections.

    “So, I reiterate my solidarity to the tenets of our party constitution and we should not allow the collective unity of this party to be fragmented.

    “How we collectively address the issues at stake will be a major determinant of the fate of this party in months and years to come.

    “It is our determination to ensure that the PDP returns to the Presidential Villa in Abuja and take over Governance in Lagos State on May 29, 2027 but, we can only do this if we are united, not divided.”

    George said that the crises in many PDP state chapters, including Lagos, should be resolved.

    He stressed: “Nigerians are waiting for us in 2027, but we must put our house in order. This is the time to promote justice, fairness and equity in our party.

    We are beginning the drive to the process of uniting the party today with this meeting in Lagos.”

    George recommended that a zonal committee should go round the states and zones in the next six months to calm frayed nerves and encourage genuine reconciliation:

    Lamenting that PDP is where it is today because of self-inflicted crisis, he said reconciliation is the answer.

    He added: “We should bury our Individual ambition now and not allow the PDP to crumble. We have no choice than to put our house in order. We are brothers and sisters, so we should put on our thinking caps to achieve a collective goal.

    “I want to state clearly that as one of the founding fathers and a former Deputy National Chairman of our party, I will never do or say anything against the interest of this party. But,  I abhor and hate injustice at al levels.”

    Goerge said at close to 80 years, his priority is not to fight for any position, but to guide the party to victory.

    He said: “We should not allow any sentiment-ethnic or religion-to divide us. Unless we are united, with equity, fairness and justice being the pedestal for any political decision taken, this party will be heading to disaster in 2027.

    “If we want to win the 2027 governorship election in Lagos, we must have a very strong, iron-clad and formidable PDP in the build up to the 2027 elections. We should not allow ourselves to be divided.

    “We must change the narratives now so that we don’t embark on a suicide mission, a self-destructive journey for our party in 2027. Lagos residents are waiting for us in 2027 to kick APC out of Alausa.”

    While commending the convener of the meeting,  Ogungbe, George poured encomiums on PDP’s founding fathers, including Chief Solomon Lar, Dr Alex Ekwueme, Chief Bola Ige, Alhaji Adamu Ciroma, Chief Sunday Awoniyi, and Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, urging members to emulate them and shun bitterness.

    Other party leaders spoke in the same vein. Aivoji  commended the party leaders and elders, saying that the meeting would  chat a road map for a stronger and more cohesive PDP in the party.

     He said:” Reconciliation is the key, our strength lies in our unity. We are on track, we are focused. We must bring everybody together and bring the party to its old glory. By His Grace, 2027 is ours.”

    Ogunkelu said reconciliation is the way forward, adding:”We must work together to build our party.  We have to restructure our party so that PDP can be in power. And also, you may discover that there’s other party’s hands in our fighting.”

    Ashorobi said unity and inclusiveness are the conditions for success in future elections.

    Ogungbe commended the stakeholders for  considering it necessary to meet for reconciliation.

    He said the party’s performance in 2023 general elections in the state was the worst since 1999, adding that  division, greed and disunity have been the bane of the Lagos PDP. Ogungbe added: “We must not allow the past mistake to repeat itself.”

  • When will peace return to Lagos PDP?

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has set up a reconciliation committee to resolve the crisis in the Lagos State chapter. The panel headed by Senator Ben Obi has met with aggrieved chieftains. MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE examines the prospects and constraints of the peace moves.

    THE Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been embroiled in  crisis for a long time. The division is responsible for the setbacks it is facing as an opposition party. But, what the PDP is facing is not different from what other parties are facing, except that the warring factions have refused to embraced peace.

    The internal squabble affected the party during the 2015 general elections. Political analysts say the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken advantage of the gap to further expand its coast. The division is responsible for the exit of some notable chieftains from the party, including former chairman Moshood Salvador and Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe.

    Observers say if the PDP fails to reconcile its factions, more damage would be done. The PDP needs to evolve a well-organised crisis management strategy, where all parties involved in the imbroglio must be made to sheathe their sword and face the reality.

    They are of the view that the factions must drop their extreme positions and embrace unity.

    Die-hard supporters of the party believe peace is achievable, if necessary steps are taken to carry everybody along. According to them the combatants must be willing to end the crisis, because as long as the crisis lingers the party is not likely to forge ahead.

    There may be no membership drive and chance of winning future elections. The fortunes of the Lagos PDP have drastically depreciated in the face of the intra-party squabble.

    The National Working Committee (NWC) sent a delegation headed by Chief Ben Obi, to reconcile the warring factions. The delegation, which met behind closed doors with the combatants, was unable to broker peace.

    Sources said the committee could not achieve what it set out to do, but succeeded in getting the message across to them. The former Deputy National Chairman, Chief Olabode George, was absent at the reconciliation meeting. Those present include former governorship Jimi Agbaje, Dr. Adegbola Domini and Mr. Segun Adewale.

    Though the committee may not have achieved its objective, PDP stalwarts said it was a right step in the right direction. They urged the party to intensify efforts to end the protracted crisis. All eyes are on the committee, which is made up of tested mediators and party loyalists, to bring the protracted crisis to an end.

    But, other observers say it is not possible to reconcile the aggrieved chieftains, because some of them have become sworn enemies. A chieftain said: “Some of them have even personalised the issue and are not ready to change their positions. For instance, members of one faction vowed that as long as the Lagos PDP leadership remains with Chief Olabode George they he will have nothing tangible to do with the party.”

    The Vice National Chairman, Dr. Eddy Olafeso, said the party would bounce back. He said the division is due to external intrusion, adding that the APC has used the resources at its disposal to poach members and set them against one another.

    Olafeso said immediately after the general elections, the NWC met and reviewed the developments in Lagos. He said the recommendation from the reconciliation committee would restore peace.

    He said: “We set up a committee headed by Senator Ben Obi, who is more or less a Lagosian by birth. We are very confident that his recommendation for a new beginning will make better contribution and impact for Lagos PDP.

    “We are aware that since 1999 the PDP has not won anything substantial in Lagos, despite its entrenchment and the massive support it enjoys from the people of Lagos. So, making the party better in Lagos is what we are trying to do. We have taken a look at the circle of conflicts.

    “We want to stop that at this moment, so that we can have a three clear years of united party that will come into the general election in 2023. We are doing this in one single focus for winning Lagos State for the PDP. We are doing the best to put our leadership in good shape.”

    The Southwest leader urged  stakeholders to cooperate with the committee. He said those who were ready to sell their birthright for a pot of pottage should think twice.

    Olafeso said the conflicts is resolvable. He said everybody must be ready to make sacrifice. He added: “So, immediately after the sitting of the Ben Obi committee, we set up a reconciliation committee that is working hard to end the division. We are urging all our people to come together. Part of the problems of the PDP in Lagos is the infiltration by the APC into our rank and file.

    “They use the resources available to them to divide us, but now that the people have seen consequences of being divided, I think it is about time for those who are selling themselves for pittance to come together as one. For us in the Southwest, I think the leadership is determined; there is no option than to have a formidable leadership in Lagos.

    “That is what we are going to do and we are committed to ensuring internal democracy, committed to scout and hunt for quality leaders. We will continue to ensure we manage our own conflicts in such a way everybody will see himself as a stakeholder.”

    Stakeholders also believe that Lagos PDP would not face any tough challenge in resolving its scores. They are of the opinion that the leadership must follow due process. According to a chieftain, “As long as the various factions recognize the fact that some people sacrificed to build the party and made quantum contributions to the growth of the party, then the problem is half solved.”

    Former Minister of Transport Ebenezer Babatope said George could not be wished away in Lagos PDP. He said those trying to find fault in his leadership are missing the point. He said there was no crisis in the chapter, adding that some people are merely trying to bite more than they can chew. He added that, if those pitching their tent against George retrace their steps, peace will return to the party.

    Babatope said: “I must be frank with you; I don’t see any division in the Lagos PDP. Those who are creating problems are those who are have something to hide. They believe that without them nobody can do it. I must urge them to rally round the leadership of Chief Olabode George and everything will be okay; instead of beating about the bush.

    “I strongly believe that if they support the leadership of Olabode George, there will be no problem. I do hope that they will retrace their steps, because Bode George is always there for all of them. I am not from Lagos State, but having been in Lagos for many years, I will urge them to unite.

    “I want to appeal to them to go and study very hard the Ben Obi panacea for resolving the crisis.”

    The Publicity Secretary, Mr Taofik Gani, said the NWC had intervened in the crisis. He said the Obi committee met with the factions. He said: “The issues are being resolved. The NWC has waded in. That is why the Obi team was in Lagos and they met the parties, including the PDP governorship candidate, Jimi Agbaje. Stakeholders spoke their minds and it was a fruitful meeting. The team is back to Abuja to submit its reports.

    “The NWC will get back to us on the way forward. The party will overcome its present challenges and bounce back in the state.”

    Gani said the disagreements were normal in politics, adding that the feuding camp have shown commitment to work towards unity. He said the chapter would be repositioned after the reconciliation, to play its role as an opposition.

    Much is expected from the Obi committee because past efforts to end the lingering crisis failed. Stakeholders are watching with keen interests to see how the chapter can bounce back. This will depend on the success of the reconciliation committee.

     

  • Bode George lacks ideas on moving Lagos PDP forward, says Agbaje

    The Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 2019 governorship candidate Jimi Agbaje has said there is no iota of truth about his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    In a statement yesterday by Agbaje’s media spokesperson, Felix Oboagwina, he said the politician was still in the PDP and there is no plan do otherwise.

    According to him, former Deputy National Chairman of PDP Chief Bode George issued a statement that Agbaje left the PDP. According to Agbaje, it was a false narrative.

    He urged George to leave the party if he could no longer add value to PDP.

    He said: “People should please tell Bode George to shut up and leave PDP if he lacks any value to add to the party, instead of being a dog in the manger hampering the progress of the party in Lagos State.”

    Oboagwina described the news about the purported defection as misinformation that should be discountenanced.

    Read also: I’ve not dumped PDP, says Agbaje

    He said Agbaje had never been a member of APC and talks of his “returning” to the ruling party had never crossed his mind.

    According to him: “That false narrative is the product of a sick mind. Or how else do you describe someone who just sits down to concoct fiction and markets it as reality? He should tell the world where he got the news being spreading round.

    “These shameless party leaders have 2023 in mind. The game-plan is mischievously simple: Give the dog a bad name and chase it away from the party. By 2023, this mudslinging will have scared off credible people from the party, which will leave the whole field to them to continue to corner party resources.

    “I am too big to sneak out of one party into another one. And the reality remains that I have not left PDP for any other party, least of all APC.”

    He blamed the false narrative on the same set of self-styled party leaders who, on the eve of the governorship election, went to declare for a rival candidate.

    “These are people who feel that they want to continue business as usual within PDP,” he said. “All their interest revolves upon sharing campaign and election funds without giving any thought to how to elevate the party’s chances at the polls or adding value to the process

    He pointed out that as long as the PDP National Headquarters continued to pamper the divisive characters and pander to their whims, so long would the party continue to fail in elections in Lagos State.

     

     

     

  • There is no faction in Lagos PDP, says Dominic

    Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Dr. Adegbola Dominic has said that he is the authentic chairman of the party.

    Addressing elders/leaders meeting at the party secretariat, Ikeja, recently, he said the party was at peace, noting that the threat by Segun Adewale was not an issue.

    The statement reads: “I use this opportunity to formally express my appreciation to you, great members of our great party for your steadfastness, and unflinching support, commitment and loyalty to the great cause of the People’s Democratic Party before, during and after the eleI commend your resilience and gallant disposition in the face of the massive manipulations and intimidation that was the order throughout the elections. Nevertheless, we wait patiently and with high expectations that justice will prevail at the various election tribunals, especially the Presidential Elections Tribunal, and our mandate that was given by the people of Nigeria to Atiku Abubakar will be restored to us.

    “We have learned some very good lessons from the events of the elections which should leverage the re-organisation of our party and determinedly instill in our members (both leaders and followers), an attitude of discipline, loyalty and commitment to the ideals of this great party.

    “In this regard, various leadership fora, including the State CWC, have met severally, and all are agreed that the following actions are necessary for the repositioning and progress of our party-

    Collapsing all groups and factions into one unified PDP structure.  Institutionalizing Internal Democracy by letting the people, and only the people, choose their party officers and other leaders at all levels. Therefore, the practice of allotting or allocating party and other offices to individual leaders or groups or factions shall be abolished completely. Whoever wants to hold office should seek such by himself or herself from the members at all levels, beginning from the Ward.

    Read also: Adewale: George is killing Lagos PDP

    “It is unrealistic and unwise for our party to be administered on the basis of 20 Local Government areas in Lagos state, while the APC and other parties are operating 57 LGA party structures.

    In Lagos State, there are 57 functional Local Governments (which are also referred to as ‘20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs) for the purpose of conformity with the Federal Constitution. These 57 LGAs are legal entities duly recognized by the Laws of Lagos State. Therefore administering our own party on the basis of 20 LGAs will continue to put us at electoral disadvantage to other parties.

    “The State CWC has therefore resolved and recommended the restructuring of our party administration to conform with the 57 LGA structure. A Special Committee has been put in place to work out the modalities for implementation of these reforms.

    “I wish to state clearly here that there is no crisis within the Lagos PDP. Recently, a character called Segun Adewale aka Aeroland has been issuing public statements announcing himself as the chairman of our party in Lagos State, claiming that he has sacked me and my Executive Committee and has taken over our Secretariat.

    “That, of course, is not true, as you can see for yourselves.

    It is true that Mr. Segun Adewale led a gang of hoodlums, brandishing guns and other dangerous weapons, to invade this secretariat.

    For two consecutive days,  they terrorized and harassed our staff and visitors at the secretariat, dispossessing them of their valuables. We informed the Police who moved in swiftly and arrested some of the thugs. Segun Adewale on his part, was said to have disappeared from the scene. He later surfaced at the Police station where he was seen with the other thugs.

    “They were eventually released on bail, and instructed to report back at the Police station on Friday 5th April. I have reliable information that they did not report back as required. They are therefore now certainly being wanted by the Police. Let me assure you that a new era has begun in the PDP. There shall be zero tolerance for any acts of criminality, indiscipline or thuggery from any quarters whatsoever.

    “In the case of Segun Adewale, he is NOT a member of our party; and this has been repeatedly stated by the party leadership, including myself as the Lagos State Chairman, Dr. Eddy Olafeso, National Vice Chairman, Elder Yemi Akinwonmi, the Deputy National Chairman, and our foremost leader in Lagos State, Chief Olabode George.

    “Even PDP members in his Alimoso community have written several letters disowning him to the Police and State and National leadership of the party. One of such letters, signed by over 750 members, is available for your perusal. Therefore, because he is not a member of our party, the issue of disciplinary action against him would not arise.

    “We can only hand him over to the Police, which we have done; and we are quite confident that the Police is in control of the situation.”

     

  • Lagos PDP governorship candidate, party trade words over campaign fund

    THE leadership of Lagos State People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the party’s candidate, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, are embroiled in a war of words over the management of the campaign funds released by the party’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to the state chapter.

    The PDP leadership is demanding an apology from Agbaje for sidelining them in the disbursement of campaign funds and logistics for the presidential and governorship elections

    PDP chieftains said Agbaje’s conduct was responsible for the party’s abysmal performance.

    The party spokesman, Mr. Taofik Gani, yesterday alleged that Agbaje sat over the campaign funds and alienated strong members and leaders of the party from the final disbursement for logistics.

    This action, he said, consequently reflected in the performance of the state PDP during the elections.

    Agbaje polled 206, 141 votes during the governorship election won by the All Progressives Congress (APC ) governorship candidate, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who scored 739,445 votes.

    Gani, who visited The Nation office in Lagos yesterday, said: “As the image-maker of the party, I’m still struggling to defend the issues surrounding the disbursement of the election logistics because the action is such that can undermine loyalty, commitment and selflessness to the party.

    “I will advise Agbaje to accept that he made a big blunder to have unilaterally disbursed logistics provided by the presidential candidate to the extent that not even the state chairman, Dr. Adegbola Dominic or the party leader, Chief Bode George, knew anything about the manner of disbursement. I am also aware that other leaders like Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, Mrs. Aduke Maina and Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele were in the dark.”

    But, Agbaje’s spokesperson, Mrs. Modupe Ogunbayo, dismissed the allegations made against her principal.

    According to Mrs. Ogunbayo, “Agbaje sourced for funds and disbursed them to all that were involved in the election process. All the people that participated in the election including party agents and councillors were fully mobilised and funded during the elections. As I speak, many of them are still collecting funds. So, what are they still talking about after the election that has come and gone?”

    She said: “Agbaje is a noble party man, who will never embark on a road that is inimical to the development of PDP.  He is a true democrat, who took part in the party primary and won. He had always abided by the party’s rules and regulations. It will not be fair to denigrate him for selfish reasons. We should move beyond this level.”

    She explained that there used to be campaign meetings at Agaje’s office at least once in a week, which was always attended by the party’s spokesman, Mr. Taofik Gani.

    According to her, a campaign council headed by Senator Ogunlewe was set up.

    She listed other members of the council as including Mrs. Maina, Mrs. Adesola Benson, PDP Deputy Chairman Waliu Hassan and the deputy governorship candidate, Mrs. Oluwayemisi Busari, among others.

    Read also: Lagos PDP: what next for Agbaje?

    “Apart from that, there is a forum of larger PDP members that meet every Tuesday at Ikeja, where my principal interfaced with stakeholders. They included House of Representatives members and party chieftains. So, anybody who says Agbaje monopolised the party or never carried the leadership along is far from telling the truth.

    However, Gani said: “The money in question was not near what we knew the All Progressives Congress (APC) spent in Lagos, but that sum was enough to compliment the ready-made votes for PDP in Lagos. The manner of disbursement by Agbaje leaves a lot of doubts.”

    On the implication of Agbaje’s unilateral action, Gani said: “The post-governorship election in Lagos PDP is such that the national headquarters of PDP must act swiftly to forestall any complete disaffection for the party. Lagosians were disappointed. Efforts must be made to re-boost the love and confidence of Lagosians in PDP.

    “I will reiterate that Agbaje should find a forum to publicly apologise to the party for the manner he influenced the last actions on the presidential election. But for the fact that Agbaje was the governorship candidate, one would have hastily declared him as a saboteur in Lagos PDP. I really must commend Alhaji Atiku and hope that he would find solace in many other areas.

  • Lagos PDP congratulates APC

    Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has congratulated Governor-elect Babajide Sanwo-Olu on his victory in the last Saturday election.

    In a statement  by its spokesman, Mr Taofik Gani, the PDP stated that the congratulate message “is to exhibit good spirit of sportsmanship and show respect for the laws of the land.”

    The party, however, stated that if for any reason it has to challenge the result announced it shall not hesitate to do so.

    Read also: When politicians de-market Nigeria

    It advised the Governor-elect to eschew any iota of politics of retaliation, seclusion or vendetta. The party also cautioned Sanwo-Olu against going after Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, unless if it must be done for the development of the state because Lagosians will not accept any excuse for any failure in governance as a result of self inflicted distraction.

     

  • Lagos PDP: what next for Agbaje?

    The Lagos State governorship election has been won and lost. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Jimi Agbaje, has conceded defeat and congratulated the winner, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The question is: what next for Agbaje, the pharmacist-turned politician? Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU writes on the effects of the defeat on the opposition platform.

    He was optimistic of winning. During his campaigns in some parts of Lagos State, shouts of ‘Jay Kay is okay,’ always filled the air. Jimi Agbaje, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, is an eminent Lagosians held in esteem by many stakeholders. But, at the close of polls at the weekend, he saw the handwriting on the wall. Reality dawned on the pharmacist-turned politician that his vehicle, the PDP, could not carry him too far.

    At 7.07 pm, shortly before the formal announcement of results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), he conceded defeat and congratulated the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was at the party secretariat on Acme Road, Ogba, Ikeja, warming up for a victory speech. The governor-elect thanked his major challenger for the kind gesture. He later broke the news to party chieftains who surrounded him in that moment of history.

    The recent election was Agbaje’s third attempt. He was in the race in 2007 and 2015. Despite past electoral defeats, he was full of enthusiasm and optimism during the campaigns. He was vocal and some people listened to him. His campaign slogan was: ‘freedom.’ Irked by the slogan, APC stalwart Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu decried the mobilisation approach, saying that Lagos was not in bondage.

    Party women, who composed partisan songs, fired salvos at Agbaje, describing him as a familiar customer. Replying them, the PDP candidate said: ‘the customer is king.” But, on poll day, his supporters were drowned in their illusion of hope.

    According to a report, the multi-millionaire politician has rationalised his party’s failure at the polls. He complained about voters’ apathy, which he attributed to alleged intimidation of his supporters. He said many shunned the polling booths because of fear of violence. The APC Chairman, Tunde Balogun disagreed. He said the elections were peaceful, free and fair.

    For the PDP, the impact of the defeat is monumental. For 20 years, it has been the major opposition party in the Centre of Excellence. Its ambition to hijack power had crumbed six times. According to observers, Agbaje has been its most formidable and promising candidate in post-Funso Williams era. In 1999, its candidate, Chief Dapo Sarunmi, lost to Asiwaju Tinubu. In 2003, the late Williams also lost. In 2007, Musiliu Obanikoro and Agbaje, who contested on the platform of the Democratic Peoples Alliance (DPA), lost to Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN). In 2011, Ade Dosunmu could not fly. In 2015, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode also defeated Agbaje. In 2019, Agbaje, who has become a veteran contender, also lost to Sanwo-Olu.

    The implication is that Lagos PDP has been left in the cold for two decades. Many PDP leaders have jumped ship and gravitated towards the ruling party. Ahead of the weekend polls, scores of PDP members deserted the party. Even, the party chairman, Adegoke Salvador, quit the platform.

    Agbaje is a household name in Lagos. He is admired by many people across political parties. As a pharmacist and businessman, he had made money and name. Many people see him as a man of honour and integrity. He rose to political fame as the treasurer of  Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political group.

    Eyes were not on him until he threw his hat into the ring in 2007. Althoigh he had no pubic sector experience, he pulled crowd ahead of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), later Action Congress (AC) primary. Other aspirants included Fashola, former Deputy Governor Olufemi Pedro, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, former Commerce and Industry Commissioner Remi Adikwu Bakare, former party chairman Abiodun Ogunleye, Oyinlomo Danmole, Kaoli Olusanya, Ganiyu Solomon, Erikitola, Kunle Lawal, and Tola Kasali.

    However, the shadow poll did not favour Agbaje, who alleged that it was not free and fair. Although party leaders offered him the Lagos Central senatorial ticket, he rejected it.

    To spite the former governor and party leader, Agbaje, Afikuyomi, Danmole, Lawal, and Adikwu-Bakare defected to DPA. A week after, Afikuyomi went to the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and emerged its governorship candidate. Pedro left for the Labour Party (LP), and later, the PDP. Surprisingly, Afikuyomi later showed up on election day as Fashola’s agent at the INEC office.

    In DPA, Agbaje floored Adikwu-Bakare during at the primary. Another aggrieved aspirant, the late Prof. Lawal, became his running mate. Adikwu-Bakare hurriedly left for Progressive Peoples Alliance(PPA). She lost her deposit at the poll.

    The campaign was interesting. The contenders-Fashola (AC), Agbaje (DPA), Adikwu- Bakare (PPA), Afikuyomi (ANPP) and Musiliu Obanikoro (PDP)–were locked in a war of sorts. Before the primaries, they belonged to AD, an offshoot of Afenifere.

    Agbaje’s manifestos were not significantly different from the promises made to Lagosians by Fashola and Adikwu-Bakare. Except Obanikoro’s PDP, the competing parties were similar. Throughout the campaign, Agbaje and Fashola only disagreed on one point, which was the viability of the Fourth Mainland Bridge. While Agbaje said it was not a priority, Fashola insisted that the people needed it for ease of transportation. Up to now, it has remained a tall order.

    However, feathers were ruffled. The parties were enveloped in anxiety. An eloquent speaker, Agbaje ran a neat campaign devoid of thuggery, unlike the PDP train of cutlasses, clubs, bows and arrows. His adverts, including radio and television jingles,  were captivating. Excited at the way the campaign had progressed, his associate, Yinka Odumakin, said Agbaje offered a credible alternative to the ‘same of the same.’

    There was apprehension during the televised debate. Agbaje was confronted by Pedro, who had inquired from him, derisively, the experience that qualified him to vie for the governor of Lagos as the owner of  a patient medicine store, with not more than five employees under his control. The DPA candidate noted the scornful look and the attempt to diminish his profile. Returning the missiles, Agbaje  reminded Pedro that when he was a managing director of a bank, he was a shareholder and a director, which implied part ownership. The pharmacist also asked the banker to explain the circumstances that led to his exit from the bank.  Besides, he added that the former deputy governor should respond to the allegation by his boss that he had not properly rendered his account of stewardship. Pedro flared up, taking exception to Agbaje’s remarks. He explained that when he left the bank, the organization held a befitting send-forth for him.

    Despite the enormous electoral investment, Agbaje came third, trailing Obanikoro, who was defeated by Fashola.  The love of Lagosians for Agbaje was undermined by a corresponding reluctance to adopt his party by voters. He was a strong contender hindered by his weak party.

    Following the defeat, Agbaje protested, claiming that his photograph or logo disappeared on the ballot paper. He went to the tribunal, urging the temple of justice to upturn Fashola’s victory. His prayer was rejected.

    In 2011, Agbaje did not contest. Although APC leaders were said to have offered the position of deputy governor to him, he rejected it. But, he remained a public figure who commented on national issues.

    In 2015, he finally yielded to pressures to run on the platform of the PDP. Backed by the PDP leader, Chief Olabode George, he defeated Obanikoro at the primary. His chance was bright. Former President Goodluck Jonathan threw his weight behind him. Also, members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) were on the prowl. Agbaje rallied Igbo residents behind his ambition. Although PDP won some House of Assembly and Representatives seats, Agbaje was defeated by Ambode.

    After the election, crisis broke out between Agbaje and George. The retired soldier wanted to be the PDP national chairman. Agbaje, who enjoyed the support of  Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and his Ekiti State counterpart, Ayo Fayose, also unfolded a chairmanship ambition. But, the crown later went to Prince Uche Secondus, who was sponsored by the PDP governors.

    During last year’s primary, Agbaje defeated Deji Doherty, who does not enjoy his kind of popularity. But, at the close of poll at the weekend, there was gap between expectation and reality. Sanwo-Olu polled 739, 44 5 votes to defeat Agbaje who got 206, 141 votes.

    What future awaits PDP in Lagos? What next for Agbaje, its symbol? Will he return to the drawing board, restrategise and rebuild the party into a winning platform? Will he return to his shell? Will he quit the politics? In four years’ time, will Agbaje re-contest?

     

     

  • Lagos PDP: what next for Agbaje?

    The Lagos State governorship election has been won and lost. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Jimi Agbaje, has conceded defeat and congratulated the winner, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The question is: what next for Agbaje, the pharmacist-turned politician? Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU writes on the effects of the defeat on the opposition platform.

    He was optimistic of winning. During his campaigns in some parts of Lagos State, shouts of ‘Jay Kay is okay,’ always filled the air. Jimi Agbaje, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, is an eminent Lagosians held in esteem by many stakeholders. But, at the close of polls at the weekend, he saw the handwriting on the wall. Reality dawned on the pharmacist-turned politician that his vehicle, the PDP, could not carry him too far.

    At 7.07 pm, shortly before the formal announcement of results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), he conceded defeat and congratulated the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was at the party secretariat on Acme Road, Ogba, Ikeja, warming up for a victory speech. The governor-elect thanked his major challenger for the kind gesture. He later broke the news to party chieftains who surrounded him in that moment of history.

    The recent election was Agbaje’s third attempt. He was in the race in 2007 and 2015. Despite past electoral defeats, he was full of enthusiasm and optimism during the campaigns. He was vocal and some people listened to him. His campaign slogan was: ‘freedom.’ Irked by the slogan, APC stalwart Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu decried the mobilisation approach, saying that Lagos was not in bondage.

    Party women, who composed partisan songs, fired salvos at Agbaje, describing him as a familiar customer. Replying them, the PDP candidate said: ‘the customer is king.” But, on poll day, his supporters were drowned in their illusion of hope.

    According to a report, the multi-millionaire politician has rationalised his party’s failure at the polls. He complained about voters’ apathy, which he attributed to alleged intimidation of his supporters. He said many shunned the polling booths because of fear of violence. The APC Chairman, Tunde Balogun disagreed. He said the elections were peaceful, free and fair.

    For the PDP, the impact of the defeat is monumental. For 20 years, it has been the major opposition party in the Centre of Excellence. Its ambition to hijack power had crumbed six times. According to observers, Agbaje has been its most formidable and promising candidate in post-Funso Williams era. In 1999, its candidate, Chief Dapo Sarunmi, lost to Asiwaju Tinubu. In 2003, the late Williams also lost. In 2007, Musiliu Obanikoro and Agbaje, who contested on the platform of the Democratic Peoples Alliance (DPA), lost to Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN). In 2011, Ade Dosunmu could not fly. In 2015, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode also defeated Agbaje. In 2019, Agbaje, who has become a veteran contender, also lost to Sanwo-Olu.

    The implication is that Lagos PDP has been left in the cold for two decades. Many PDP leaders have jumped ship and gravitated towards the ruling party. Ahead of the weekend polls, scores of PDP members deserted the party. Even, the party chairman, Adegoke Salvador, quit the platform.

    Agbaje is a household name in Lagos. He is admired by many people across political parties. As a pharmacist and businessman, he had made money and name. Many people see him as a man of honour and integrity. He rose to political fame as the treasurer of  Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political group.

    Eyes were not on him until he threw his hat into the ring in 2007. Althoigh he had no pubic sector experience, he pulled crowd ahead of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), later Action Congress (AC) primary. Other aspirants included Fashola, former Deputy Governor Olufemi Pedro, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, former Commerce and Industry Commissioner Remi Adikwu Bakare, former party chairman Abiodun Ogunleye, Oyinlomo Danmole, Kaoli Olusanya, Ganiyu Solomon, Erikitola, Kunle Lawal, and Tola Kasali.

    However, the shadow poll did not favour Agbaje, who alleged that it was not free and fair. Although party leaders offered him the Lagos Central senatorial ticket, he rejected it.

    To spite the former governor and party leader, Agbaje, Afikuyomi, Danmole, Lawal, and Adikwu-Bakare defected to DPA. A week after, Afikuyomi went to the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and emerged its governorship candidate. Pedro left for the Labour Party (LP), and later, the PDP. Surprisingly, Afikuyomi later showed up on election day as Fashola’s agent at the INEC office.

    In DPA, Agbaje floored Adikwu-Bakare during at the primary. Another aggrieved aspirant, the late Prof. Lawal, became his running mate. Adikwu-Bakare hurriedly left for Progressive Peoples Alliance(PPA). She lost her deposit at the poll.

    The campaign was interesting. The contenders-Fashola (AC), Agbaje (DPA), Adikwu- Bakare (PPA), Afikuyomi (ANPP) and Musiliu Obanikoro (PDP)–were locked in a war of sorts. Before the primaries, they belonged to AD, an offshoot of Afenifere.

    Agbaje’s manifestos were not significantly different from the promises made to Lagosians by Fashola and Adikwu-Bakare. Except Obanikoro’s PDP, the competing parties were similar. Throughout the campaign, Agbaje and Fashola only disagreed on one point, which was the viability of the Fourth Mainland Bridge. While Agbaje said it was not a priority, Fashola insisted that the people needed it for ease of transportation. Up to now, it has remained a tall order.

    However, feathers were ruffled. The parties were enveloped in anxiety. An eloquent speaker, Agbaje ran a neat campaign devoid of thuggery, unlike the PDP train of cutlasses, clubs, bows and arrows. His adverts, including radio and television jingles,  were captivating. Excited at the way the campaign had progressed, his associate, Yinka Odumakin, said Agbaje offered a credible alternative to the ‘same of the same.’

    There was apprehension during the televised debate. Agbaje was confronted by Pedro, who had inquired from him, derisively, the experience that qualified him to vie for the governor of Lagos as the owner of  a patient medicine store, with not more than five employees under his control. The DPA candidate noted the scornful look and the attempt to diminish his profile. Returning the missiles, Agbaje  reminded Pedro that when he was a managing director of a bank, he was a shareholder and a director, which implied part ownership. The pharmacist also asked the banker to explain the circumstances that led to his exit from the bank.  Besides, he added that the former deputy governor should respond to the allegation by his boss that he had not properly rendered his account of stewardship. Pedro flared up, taking exception to Agbaje’s remarks. He explained that when he left the bank, the organization held a befitting send-forth for him.

    Despite the enormous electoral investment, Agbaje came third, trailing Obanikoro, who was defeated by Fashola.  The love of Lagosians for Agbaje was undermined by a corresponding reluctance to adopt his party by voters. He was a strong contender hindered by his weak party.

    Following the defeat, Agbaje protested, claiming that his photograph or logo disappeared on the ballot paper. He went to the tribunal, urging the temple of justice to upturn Fashola’s victory. His prayer was rejected.

    In 2011, Agbaje did not contest. Although APC leaders were said to have offered the position of deputy governor to him, he rejected it. But, he remained a public figure who commented on national issues.

    In 2015, he finally yielded to pressures to run on the platform of the PDP. Backed by the PDP leader, Chief Olabode George, he defeated Obanikoro at the primary. His chance was bright. Former President Goodluck Jonathan threw his weight behind him. Also, members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) were on the prowl. Agbaje rallied Igbo residents behind his ambition. Although PDP won some House of Assembly and Representatives seats, Agbaje was defeated by Ambode.

    After the election, crisis broke out between Agbaje and George. The retired soldier wanted to be the PDP national chairman. Agbaje, who enjoyed the support of  Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and his Ekiti State counterpart, Ayo Fayose, also unfolded a chairmanship ambition. But, the crown later went to Prince Uche Secondus, who was sponsored by the PDP governors.

    During last year’s primary, Agbaje defeated Deji Doherty, who does not enjoy his kind of popularity. But, at the close of poll at the weekend, there was gap between expectation and reality. Sanwo-Olu polled 739, 44 5 votes to defeat Agbaje who got 206, 141 votes.

    What future awaits PDP in Lagos? What next for Agbaje, its symbol? Will he return to the drawing board, restrategise and rebuild the party into a winning platform? Will he return to his shell? Will he quit the politics? In four years’ time, will Agbaje re-contest?