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Tag: Olabode George

  • George to youths: rededicate yourselves to Nigeria

    George to youths: rededicate yourselves to Nigeria

    Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PD) Chief Olabode George has urged the youths to rededicate themselves to the service of the country.

    George, who recently celebrated his 80th birthday in Lagos said the future of the country is bright, adding that Nigeria would overcome its challenges.

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, his Bauchi State counterpart, Bala Mohammed, Gen. Ike Nwachukwu and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, extolled the virtues of the elderstatesman during his 80th birthday.

    The president described the former military governor of Ondo State as a leader who served the country as a soldier and politician.

    President Tinubu,who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, at the ceremony in Lagos, also hailed the celebrator for presenting his memoir.

    President Tinubu said: “At 80, Chief George has lived a whole life. He dedicated his life to serving our country with a distinguished career in the military.

    “As a leader of note and “Lagos boy’ as he had always proudly described himself, he has demonstrates devotion and undisguised love for the country and his state of birth.”

    He added: “First, I am most happy that my egbon, through the abiding grace of God, turned 80 years in good health despite vicissitudes of life that attended his way.

    “Two, I am equally happy and rejoice wit that he is alive to celebrate today in Lagos, rather than in self-imposed exile.

    “I recall that he made a vow on national television that he would go into exile if I were ever to become President of Nigeria.

    “I pleaded with him that he would have a change of heart, because we would all remain in Nigeria and work together to achieve the peaceful and prosperous Nigeria that was our collective dream.”

    At the Naval Dockyard, Ikoyi, venue of the event were former Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Ayinde Adelanwa, former Adamawa State Governor Muritala Nyako, Gbadebo Vivour, Dele Ogedengbe, who represented the chairman, Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, Senator Rabiu Kwakwanso and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

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    Other guests included Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, Mrs. Ronke Okunsanya, Prof. Femi Otubanjo, who reviewed George’s memoir, Mrs. Josephine Anenih, Mrs. Rebecca Aikhomu and Mrs. Magret Shonekan.

    The event was also witnessed by Chief Joju Fadairo, Commodore Taiwo Odedina, Sam Amuka, Umar Damagum, Saminu Turaki, Alex Duduyemi, Ladi Adebutu, Taofeek Arapaja, Justice Bode Rhodes, Bisi Ilaka, Supo Sasore, Akin Osuntokun, Reuben Abati, Admiral Toye Olofintuyi, Babangida Aliyu, and Prince Tokunbo Sijuade.

    President Tinubu described the birthday as a celebration of a distinguished Nigerian, a statesman and an outstanding politician.

    He said sinceheI became President, Chief George has offered advice and suggestions where necessary through many of his interventions on national issues, adding that he found many of his suggestions very valuable and enriching.

    Makinde, who said George cannot be a pushover, being a military General, thanked him for rising to the occasion when forces within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wanted to prevent him from declaring his governorship ambition at Ibadan, the state capital.

    Noting the problems that confronted the elderstatesman, he said in any moment of trial, tribulations and rough battles, people should look up to God.

    Senator Bala Mohammed described George as a father, cerebral and hardworking person, adding that he is blunt and detribalised who has mentored many Nigerians 

    The governor lamented that despite his efforts to reposition the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) when he was chairman, it becsme his albatros.

    Okusanya, who served as George’s Commissioner for Information when he was governor, dwscribed him as her destiny helper.

    Ogedengbe, who was also Attorney-General and Justice Commissioner during the same period recalled that he and George met as students at the University of Lagos, Akoka, in 1967.

    He praised him for demonstrating resilience, determination in the course of life.

    Ogedengbe said:” George has gone through a lot ib life; he was prosecuted, convicted and imprisoned, but the Supreme Court established his innocense. He has remained focused.

    “I urged people to emulate him. You should not give up. At the end of the day, you will be victorious.”

    An excited George thanked the dignitaries for turning up to honour him.

    Reminiscing on his life journey, which has been full of ups and downs, he said: “My journey through public life has been long and painful. From my early days as a young naval officer, serving this nation in uniform, to my years in political leadership, I have seen our country, Nigeria, in her brightest and also at the most challenging moments. I have served in government.

    “I have served in opposition. I have celebrated victories and endured defeats. I have been praised and I have been misunderstood.

    “But through every twist and turn, I have held firmly to one conviction. That our country, Nigeria, is worth serving. And Nigeria is worth believing in.”

    Urging the youths to face the future with confident hope, George added:”Let us build a nation where unity is not just a slogan but a life reality. To the young people of this country, my sons and daughters, and the future of this great country, I say this with love. Do not give up on Nigeria.”

  • ADC can’t match PDP, says George

    ADC can’t match PDP, says George

    …says defectors should return home

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT) member Chief Olabode George yesterday declared that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) cannot match the main opposition party. 

    He lamented that the defectors, led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who once left the party and later returned to the fold, is repeating his past mistakes. 

    George, who spoke at a ceremony in Lagos marking what he described as ‘PDP Restoration,’ said the defectors are chasing shadows, stressing that they are only trying to miss the opportunities offered by PDP for chieftains to excel. 

    George chided Atiku and Senator David Mark for dumping a formidable party that gave them relevance as number two and three citizens for a weak platform facing an uncertain future. 

    Accompanied by other party elders, including Senator Kofo Bucknor, Mrs. Onikepo Oshodi, Gen. Tajudeen Olanrewaju, Dr. Adeniji, and Dr. Amos Fawole, the former military governor of Ondo State warned against political miscalculation. 

    He said, “Those who benefitted optimally as umber two and three men in the country are decimating the PDP. They were mentored and respected by the party. They should know that their new group cannot match the PDP, which is an iroko tree. They went out before and came back to the party. They should come back.”

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    He wondered why Atiku and his group cannot come to terms with presidential zoning , which was the idea of the PDP founding fathers.

    Reiterating his position on power rotation, he said justice still demands that the presidency should be retained for four more yeas after 2027 because President Muhammadu Buhari from the North spent eight years in office.

    The party elder frowned at the penchant for manipulating the PDP governors to join the APC, thereby decimating the party.

    He urged the APC leaders to desist from interfering in the affairs of the PDP, assuring that the party will overcome its challenges. 

    Noting that PDP is weathering the storm, he said chieftains should jettison their greed and inordinate personal ambitions that conflict with zoning as enshrined in the party’s constitution. 

    George alluded to the injustice of local government distribution in the country, pointing out that Lagos State has been shortchanged.

    Rejecting the inequality and injustice, he urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to revisit the report of the last constitutional conference on the reconmendations on the creation of additional local governments.

  • How to restore discipline to PDP, by George

    How to restore discipline to PDP, by George

    Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George,  said former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, be sanctioned for anti-party activities.

    He said the party is being embarrassed by the open display of affinity by the duo to other political parties.

    George said the PDP crisis is festering because  Atiku and Wike are hobnobbing with other parties.

    He said: “What exactly is going on? Anybody who is tired of PDP should leave and join another party.  Enough of this embarrassment. As a founding elder of this party, I will not watch while some people openly disrespect the party. It is impossible.”

    George queried why Atiku  visited former President Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna with others.

    “General Buhari remains my boss but he is not a member of our party.

    “So, why is Atiku hobnobbing with him politically? Is he not guilty of  anti-party offence already?

    “The other day, President Bola Tinubu told Wike that APC must win the council election in FCT and he agreed.

    “Wike has been given a direct order to win FCT for APC and he still claims to be a member of PDP. Are people now shameless politically that they cannot be principled? Where is the leadership of our party? Why are they tolerating Atiku and Wike?  Why are they allowing the duo to continue to embarrass our party publicly?

    “Now, some governors are joining them to endorse Tinubu’s reelection in 2027. I ask again: what exactly is going on in our party? Has discipline gone to the dogs? Has everything broken down completely? Has sanity taken flight in the way we run the party now?

    “Nigerians are yearning for change, which only the PDP can offer because ours is the only organised party. Apart from Ganduje, who else do you know in APC NWC? APC is a one-man show being controlled from the Villa.

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    “This is the time for the national leadership of  PDP to take decisive steps to save our great party.

    “As a founding member of our party and an elderstatesman, I call on other elders of our party to call Atiku and Wike to order, as the two are not bigger than the PDP.

    “They cannot continue hobnobbing with enemies of our party and think I will keep quiet. The truth must be told every time without minding whose ox is gored.

    “This is the time to save our party from those undermining PDP from within.

    “If Atiku is strateging on how to form a coalition with others because of 2027, he should do that outside the structure of our party. You cannot be within and be working against the interest of this party. We will never allow that.

    “Wike’s case is very clear to everybody. He wants to be in the good books of Tinubu while working against our party. He is an adult and knows what is good for him politically but you cannot claim to be in the PDP and be working against the interest of the party.

    “Many people do not know that what Wike did in Rivers leading to emergency rule declaration of March 18 is anti-party activity.

    “He organises live interviews across Television Stations as if he is the president and attacks PDP in the process.  If there is any iota of shame left in him,  this is the time for him to leave our party.

    “His strategy is to continue to work within the party for the President’s reelection.

    “This is the time for our party leadership to wield the big stick because nobody is more powerful than the party.

    “The moment we remove the liabilities in our party, we  will be in a formidable position, as an opposition party, to take over power from APC at the federal level in 2027.

    “Due to the anti-people policies of APC, Nigerians are going through a lot and they  are waiting for PDP to alleviate their suffering in 2027”.

    George advised President Bola Tinubu to create a Special Fund account where Managing Directors of banks will deposit, at least, N20 billion each annually to alleviate the suffering of the masses.

    To the Atona Oodua of Yorubaland, bankers are part of the professionals who created economic hardship in the country.

    George queried the source of the Billions of Naira declared by banks as profits yearly.

    “There is what is called round-tripping. There is also insider abuse, hidden and fraudulent charges. All these are targeted at Nigerians. You can’t see a bank MD in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, United Arab Emirates etc in private jets every other day.

    “Here, our Bank MDs not only charter private jets but own jets. Where are they getting the money from to maintain this type of luxury and lifestyle?

    “The government must look into this. Now that Tinubu is trying to lessen the burden of Nigerians, these bank MDs should be made to pay not less than N20 billion each into this special intervention fund account.

    “Now that he is back in Nigeria, Tinubu should also be serious about projecting the image of this country.

    “No rat, lizard or cockroach was killed in Rivers yet, you declared emergency rule and suspended an elected governor just because you are Commander in Chief.

    “People don’t use power like that. Nigeria is called Giant of Africa but, economically, constitutionally and politically, are we Giant in the real sense of the word?

    “Nigeria spent billions of dollars to restore peace, security, democracy, economic and political independence in South Africa, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Zimbabwe and others.

    “It is an anti-climax that what we gave to others that led to stability, we don’t have at home. Are we now the Giant of Africa only on paper, and not in reality?

    “Insurrection,  insurgency, kidnappings, killings and corruption have taken over the land. As the Commander-in-Chief,  what exactly is Tinubu doing to reverse this ugly trend?

    “The way people are being killed in Benue and Plateau, does it make sense? The nation is drifting and this is the time for former Presidents and opinion leaders to speak truth to power. We can’t continue this way”.

  • Bode talks the talk

    Bode talks the talk

    Old man and old soldier, Chief Olabode George, retired Navy Commodore but hardly tired political warhorse, is talking the talk. He is shedding buckets of tears for Siminalayi Fubara, the Rivers governor who just got cut to size for his childish approach to governance.

    Or how would you describe a politically conscious adult who spends public money without parliamentary appropriation, in a democracy, and feels things would end well?

    Like the late Chief Edwin Clark, another old man that goaded Fubara into infamy but is now comfortably dead for the living Fubara to carry his can, George is now playing the emotive card.  Fubara would listen to him at his peril!

    George claims the Supreme Court verdict that cuts off funding to Rivers, until Fubara submits his budget estimates for proper appropriation, was cruel.  How so?

    Still, before even delving into his take, you could see the bounding hypocrisy in that statement. 

    When President Olusegun Obasanjo was busy playing the emperor and seizing Lagos council funds, what was George’s take?

    Even when the Supreme Court told him he had absolutely no right to do that, and he still held on to the money, didn’t George, esprit de corps, lionize that brazen illegality?  As virtual “garrison” viceroy, in the futile bid to “capture Lagos” (his very own words), didn’t he rally for that brazen illegality, as PDP deputy national chairman (South), and storied “Lagos boy”?

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    But this Rivers case is even a far cry from the Obasanjo-era in-your-face presidential outlawry.  For two years running now, Fubara has been spending public money without appropriation.  Does he even know that is No. 1 crime in a democracy? 

    Does George also know that?  Or does he think as the IBB/Abacha military was an “army of anything goes”, this democracy is also an era of “ anything goes”? Come on!

    Governors — as other elected officials — are created by law.  The moment they hoist themselves above the law, they get what’s coming their way!  That’s the Fubara cross.

    Old man George wailed about how the Supreme Court judges would have felt if they didn’t receive their salaries — more tears!  But what has that — emotive appeal to pity — got to do with anything?  Doesn’t due process shape everything in a democracy?

    If George — as the late Clark — had played dutiful elderly roles and correctly advised Fubara to fight smart and not fight dumb, by not committing such open democratic crime as spending unappropriated money, would things have got to this terrible pass? Instead, all of them jumped on the partisan lane and couldn’t even see Fubara bathe himself with petrol and giddily urge his foes to light a fire!

    The Rivers situation is already bad enough as it is.  George and co should advise Fubara to correct his reckless ways — no matter his grievances — and not gift his foes free ammo to bomb him.

    Shedding crocodile tears and traducing judges who did their duty by law won’t help Fubara.  Pulling his ears to do the right thing would.

  • Why there is trouble in PDP, by George

    Why there is trouble in PDP, by George

    In this piece, former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy National Chairman, Chief Olabode George attributes the problems of the party to indiscipline and contends that erring members should be sanctioned to serve as deterrent to others?

    As a dedicated life member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) representing the Upper Chamber and embodying the moral compass of our party, I feel compelled to sound the alarm in a matter requiring urgent attention.

    What happened on during the 79th meeting of this August body in Abuja is despicable, horrific, inhuman, wicked and unheard of. The individuals who orchestrated the use of thugs to invade our Party Secretariat acted shamelessly and this action must be condemned by all of us who value democracy.

    It is disheartening that the PDP, the bastion of civility, humility, decorum, harmony and respect for the rule of law since 1998 when it was formed by our elders such as Chief Solomon Lar, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Chief Bola Ige (who wrote the constitution of the party), Alhaji Adamu Ciroma, Chief Sunday Awoniyi, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, Chief Sunday Afolabi, and others, who did not allow personal interests to overshadow their collective interests of the party, are now dancing on the graves of some of these elders.

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    This situation arises from the actions of certain disloyal individuals within our party. I strongly believe this should also be seen as a serious offence which should not be condoned. What happened on Wednesday was horrendous, terrible and dreadful. We are all aware that the National Secretariat of our party in Abuja is sacred. The premises must be respected by all members and non-members.

    It is sacrilegious that thugs were hired to enter the premises to unleash mayhem, disrupting the 79th Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting. If that could happen, then what do you think those who sponsored the thugs will do during National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings?

    I have consistently stated that those with a belligerent attitude, if they are not ready to repent, should be shown the way out. As the largest party in Africa, PDP should not be turned into an ‘Agbero’ party by any member with an inordinate ambition. We have rules and regulations that govern our party.

    If we are indeed serious as a party, this is the time for the party leadership to bring the two opposing factions together for a peace meeting. If they are not ready to embrace peace, they should step aside and allow the party to move past the current turmoil. Enough of this arrant nonsense.

    We found ourselves in our current situation due to a self-inflicted crisis. We should bury our individual ambition now and not allow the PDP to crumble. Elders of the party should tell those funny characters to calm down.

    As leaders, we must not allow anybody to destroy our party because PDP is the only true national party. The APC is just a mere congregation of strange bed fellows. This is the time to show members working against our party the way out. No sentiment at all.

    Anything else will be suicidal.

    Can you imagine a situation in which party officers were attacked and dragged out of the hall by thugs? What a desecration of our office.

    Nigerians watched as thugs, sponsored by some so-called leaders of the party, scaled the fence of our national secretariat. What a national shame.

    It took the intervention of the police and other security agents around to bring the situation under control, using pepper spray. This is profanity of the highest order.

    More security personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were mobilised to our party secretariat to restore normalcy. What a national embarrassment.

    I want to send this advice to all that this humiliation of our party and elders must stop. The leadership of the party must also wield the big stick. Nobody is too big to be disciplined by our party. Also, nobody is too important to be expelled. Only patriotic members of our party are indispensable. If you think you are a member of our party and you are arrogantly working against us, I can tell you that your days are numbered.

    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.

    A divided house can never be united. You cannot sleep soundly when you have snakes in your bedroom. That is exactly the situation in PDP today. Nigerians are angry and hungry as a result of the economic policies of the APC Government.

  • Nigerians need Yuletide palliative, says George

    Nigerians need Yuletide palliative, says George

    A former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy National Chairman, Chief Olabode George, yesterday urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to give a special Yuletide palliative to Nigerians.

    He said a reduction in the price of petrol by the government would lower the cost of food and transportation across the country.

    George said: “December and January are special months to Nigerians. Let President Bola Tinubu bring down the price of petrol to N300 per litre. Only the government can absorb the losses. That will send a message of happiness to all households.

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    “It is a challenge. He can do it. It is important so that people can go into the new year with happiness. The President is the Minister of Petroleum. If he reduces the price of petrol for this season, the price of food items and transportation will crash.”

    George, a retired Navy Commodore and former military governor of Ondo State, spoke on the state of the nation in Lagos.

    He stressed that Nigerians have been patient and shown understanding with the current administration since it was inaugurated in May 2023.

  • Bode’s pity party

    Bode’s pity party

    There’s a pity party in town — have you been invited?  If not, go grab your invite — now!

    Old soldier, Olabode George is wailing, and won’t be comforted, on behalf of another old soldier, Olusegun Obasanjo. His grouse is presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga — for having the temerity to call out Obasanjo’s bad grace and hypocrisy.

    The former president just called President Bola Tinubu “Emilokan”, former President Muhammadu Buhari, Baba-Go-Slow — rude and crude stuff! — and the Nigeria both try to salvage a “failing” state, after Obasanjo and co’s years of the PDP locusts.

    Hardball was a bit puzzled, wondering if George’s agony was not that old military penchant to bully “bloody civilians”, during their power sweetheart days.  Still, the old man would appear too foxy to play that wild card.

    But even throwing his bully culture card, he stands on very slippery grounds.  He claims Onanuga should have gladly suffered Obasanjo’s foolery, just because Onanuga, an old boy of Ijebu Ode Grammar School — who didn’t even meet George in that school — was too small a boy, to deign to blast Obasanjo for his trademark rudeness to others.  George further lamented: Onanuga had earlier told him off too!  For also standing on his dignity and talking out of turn?

    For starters, that cultural blackmail can’t wash.  Obasanjo, Tinubu, Onanuga — and well, George —  might be ethnic Yoruba but the matter wasn’t some Yoruba village square meeting.  It was Obasanjo’s usual binge of de-marketing others to cover own barren achievements in power.  It’s a democratic republic, not some aristocracy.  If you can’t take, don’t be reckless enough to give.

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    But even on the cultural front, has Obasanjo respected that cherished Yoruba norm, while openly insulting others?  Here was a man that ordered Oyo royal fathers to “stand up and sit down”!  Who do the Yoruba revere more than their traditional rulers?

    And talking of small boys and elders: did Obasanjo consider that when he wrote the rubbish he wrote on Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in his “Not My Will”, which he released in 1990? Or wasn’t Obasanjo himself a “small boy” to Awo, but for the tragedy of military rule, when every brat in khaki corralled media attention?

    Even worse: whereas Onanuga called Obasanjo to order for making tendentious claims on Presidents Buhari and Tinubu, which went with an out-sized serenading of Obasanjo’s rather empty presidential record, Obasanjo’s comments on Awo were totally uncalled for, being rude and exceedingly graceless.  Awo had even died at that time.  Whoever writes churlish things about his betters, though dead, to grab crude attention?

    Next time old soldier George wants to mount a pity party, let him choose his subject very carefully.  Obasanjo is out-and-out a bad case. For heaping perennial insults on leaders before and after him, his goose is cooked. Whatever flak he draws, he fully deserves.

  • Traders are not terrorists, says George

    Traders are not terrorists, says George

    A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader, Chief Olabode George, has said Lagos traders are not terrorists.

    In an open letter to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, George said: ‘’Your Excellency, I bring to your notice the plight of many traders in Lagos State.

    Lagos is known as the Centre of Excellence, but these traders are not being treated ‘excellently’ by some security agents and government officials on a daily basis.

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    ‘’Besides the multiple levies they pay to councils and at the same time subjected to extortion in a most horrendous manner by some thugs, the traders are also harassed and flogged like criminals.

    ‘’I have been inundated with abuses by state officials against their fellow citizens, who are harmless traders on Lagos streets. I’m saddened that these vulnerable Nigerians can be treated like slaves.

    ‘’This inhuman attitude must be halted forthwith and a more civil approach to treating fellow human beings be embraced for posterity. It is time for us to join the rest of the world in civility!’’

  • ‘PDP BoT should resolve Rivers, Edo crises’

    ‘PDP BoT should resolve Rivers, Edo crises’

    Former National Deputy Chairman (Southwest) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George has called on the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) to urgently wade into the crises rocking its Rivers and Edo chapters.

    Speaking during a television programme, George said the opposition party’s chances of winning elections in the two states would be undermined if its leaders failed to resolve the lingering disputes in the affected chapters.

    The former deputy national chairman expressed worry over the Rivers crisis particularly. He said the crisis is assuming an ugly dimension that needs the urgent intention of the party leaders.

    While admitting that intra-party disputes were not alien to politics, he disagreed with those calling on the party to wield a big stick against some individuals. He added that disciplining anybody now will not bring the needed solution, but may fuel the crises to consume the party.

    Asked if he was not bothered over the political disagreement, George said: “I agree with you and as I follow the gladiators’ utterances, I’m wondering what the BoT is doing regarding the disputes in Edo and Rivers chapters.

    “This is a time to forget all the various divides and go to talk to warring factions to resolve the issues. We can resolve our issues.

    “While I agree that there will be disagreements here and there in any party, and this happens all over the world; this party is not the private property of any individual for God’s sake. Let the leaders in the BoT rise above those utterances and do the needful.  The way it is going is getting disturbing.”

    George, who said the fights were capable of hurting the party’s reputation in the eyes of the electorates, said party leaders should do all within their powers to rescue the situation.

    “What will the electorate think about us? We want to convince the electorates that though there will be crises, we have the capacity, knowledge and ability to amicably resolve our issues. Let the BoT get up. This is the time they can show that they mean well for the party.  It is so disturbing with the level of the crises.

    “Unfortunately, the judiciary that should be independent has been dragged into the fiefdom. Now, we have verdicts and counter-verdicts from the courts.”

    George also urged gladiators in the disputes to sheathe their swords and be ready for amicable settlements. His words: “In such a situation, elected officers should calm down and allow the elders to wade in.

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    “Whatever differences you have cannot be in perpetuity. No, it cannot. So, what is it that we are looking for that we cannot calm down to resolve our issues?

    “If reconciliation is not working, what is the way forward?  Should the big stick be applied in this instance? When we talk about big sticks in politics, it will disrupt our foundation.

    “Dr. Alex Ekwueme was the founding father, the convener and he convinced several people who were not on the same page with him. He was able to convince Jim Nwobodo, Solomon Lar and Bola Ige.

    “They were never political associates, but for the sake of the country, they dropped their grievances and rallied around to build up an Iroko political party.

    “I don’t know why our people are doing this. You’ll serve your term and go. It is painful that everybody is looking at it now as if all things are well.

    “Politicians should have the nation at heart first. Where are the members of the BoT? They are the people to lead in the reconciliation process by calming the nerves of those that are angry.”

    George, however, hailed the composition of the PDP campaign organisations in the forthcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states. He said: “In the coming election, I have seen the powerful members constituting the campaign organisations and I don’t have any issue against that. We will go back there to market our party.

    “INEC must not mess up this election and it must ensure that the will of the people prevails.”

    On the need to resolve insecurity in the nation, George said Tinubu should accede to the demands of those calling for state police. He said: “One key recommendation of the National Constitutional Conference under President Goodluck Jonathan is to have local police in place to tame insurgents.

    “State police will address that. This type of police will be better off to manage their areas very well. The local police understand their language and terrain and they can frontally face the issue.”

    On the economic situation in the country, George said the Tinubu administration has shown some good intentions but needs to do more.

    He advised Tinubu to incorporate knowledgeable and patriotic Nigerians who will help to turn things around.

  • 2027: PDP can’t field northerner as presidential candidate, says George

    2027: PDP can’t field northerner as presidential candidate, says George

    Former deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Olabode George on December 11, said the party cannot field a northerner in 2027 presidential election.

    He said: “I don’t really understand the rhetorics in some quarters these days that a member of the party from the North is strategising or plotting to return as the presidential candidate of our party in 2027.

    “A northerner cannot be the presidential candidate of our party in 2027, pure and simple. The earlier some members pushing this agenda know this truth, the better for our collective sanity. 

    “I have nothing against northerners. In fact, my best friend is from the north but PDP members must understand this reality before it is too late that a PDP member from the southern part of the country must be our candidate and we must all support him to defeat the APC candidate in the 2027 elections.

    “Until 2031, nobody should think of contesting for the presidential ticket of our party from the North. The real elders in our party should stand up and say the truth.

    “The truth may be bitter but it must be said without any emotion or else, the founding fathers of our party, some of whom have exited this world, will not forgive us.”

    George, who spoke with reporters in Lagos, warned that the party may not survive till 2027, unless it returns to the vision of its founding fathers. 

    He said: “I am raising the alarm today that our party is at the precipice of a looming crisis, if pending critical party issues are not urgently addressed.”

    “I want to sound a note of warning to some gladiators in our great party, the PDP. If care is not taken, the party may become a ‘Garbage heap of history’ in 2027.”

    To avert the looming calamity, George, said there should be unity and inclusiveness, before next years governorship polls in Edo and Ondo states. 

    The Naval Commodore lamented that the unity of the party is threatened , wondering how it can bounce back in 2027 without resolving the problems that led to its full in 2023.

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    Stressing that Nigerians are waiting the PDP in the next general election, he maintained that “to think of a Northerner as our saviour in 2027 is a joke taken too far.”

    He stressed: “I cried loudly before the last general election that we cannot shut out the South from our strategy and hope to win. Two Northerners emerged as our presidential candidate and national chairman. We all saw the outcome.

    “I can boldly say that those who supported that idea gave the opportunity for Tinubu to become the president today and a repeat of that fiasco will lead to the end of PDP in 2027.

    “I want to alert Nigerians that the primitive agenda that led to the PDP losing the February 25, 2023 presidential election is rearing its ugly head again.

    I want Nigerians and PDP members to know that Chief Olabode Ibiyinka George, one of the founding fathers and a former Deputy National Chairman of our party, is not anti-party and will never do or say anything against the interest of this party but I abhor and hate injustice at any level.

    “I have no iota of tribalism in my blood. I stand to fight for inclusiveness for all Nigerians in the political process of this country and especially in this party where some of us have suffered great injustice for the fight of equity and justice for all. 

    “As leaders of the party, we must not pander towards ethnic affiliation because PDP is the only true national party. The APC is just a mere collection of strange bed fellows.”

    George noted that some governors are against the plot to return a Northerner as PDP presidential candidate in 2027.

    He queried: “How can we go into the 2027 election season with this type of division and expect to win the presidential election? Unless we are united, unless we have fairness, equity and justice in our system, the party and the country are heading nowhere.

    “In the build up to the 2023 presidential elections, I was shocked about the quality of response from some of our members, so divisive and arrogant.

    All the party elders saying then that  the National Chairman should not resign, where are they today?