The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Olabode George

  • PDP chairmanship: Why I support Bode George – Adewale

    PDP chairmanship: Why I support Bode George – Adewale

    A former factional Chairman of PDP in Lagos State, Mr Segun Adewale, has said that he is supporting Chief Olabode George for the chairmanship seat of the party in spite of their political disagreements.

    Adewale told reporters in Lagos on Sunday that supporting George, a former PDP National Vice-Chairman (South-West) for the exalted party position was the right thing to do politically.

    He said that though he had some issues with George in the state chapter of the party, he would still support him for the position.

    “I am supporting Bode George to be the next chairman of the party despite our differences.

    “The disagreements I have with him are local disagreements and not national. My support goes for his national aspiration.

    “My support is based on his promise that he would not interfere in the affairs of the party at the state level, which was the major cause of the friction.

    “Moreover, Bode George is a chieftain from Lagos,” he said.

    George and Adewale had been at loggerheads over the former’s support for another factional chairman, Mr Moshood Salvador, in the state.

    Salvador had, before the resolution of the party ‘s leadership tussle by the Supreme Court, aligned with Chief Ahmed Makarfi, National Caretaker Chairman of the party, while Adewale supported Sen. Ali -Modu Sheriff.

    Adewale has, however, pledged support for Makarfi following his affirmation as PDP National Chairman by the Supreme Court on July 12.

    He had said that the ruling did not affect his leadership of the party in Lagos State.

    His insistence to stay at the state’s secretariat deepened his friction with George who said Salvador was the authentic chairman based on the ruling.

    The national leadership of the party later directed Adewale to surrender the keys to the secretariat to George. He has complied with the directive.

    Owing to the leadership crisis, the party announced the dissolution of the state executive committee at a non- elective congress in Port Harcourt and replaced it with a caretaker committee.

    In spite of these, Adewale was present at George’s declaration for the party’s chairmanship position on Friday in Lagos.

    PDP congress to elect new national executives will hold on Dec. 9.

    NAN

  • How PDP can return to power in 2019 – Ex-minister

    How PDP can return to power in 2019 – Ex-minister

    A former Minister of Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, on Thursday predicted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would return to power in 2019 because the party has purged itself of impunity and imposition of candidates at elections.

    Adeniran, who is vying for the party’s national chairmanship position, vowed to lead the PDP to victory if given the opportunity to lead the erstwhile ruling party.

    The former minister, who stated this in Abuja while receiving a delegation of a PDP support group, charged members to be dedicated to the ideals of the party ahead of its December national convention.

    “If elected national chairman, I will deliver the Presidency for PDP in 2019. We are not gunning for the office for the fun of it or because we want to be chairman of the largest party, the PDP.

    “The purpose is that by the grace of God and with you, we will put an end to impunity and imposition in the party. We know what Nigeria has been going through. The PDP will take-over and we will demonstrate what it means to give power to the people.

    “Kindly go back and let’s reach every nook and cranny of this country, keep a checklist of those who are yet to be reached. We want to bring everybody on board and we trust you can do that,” Adeniran said.

    Speaking earlier, the leader of the support group, Dr. Emeka Wachuku, regretted that impunity and imposition of candidates robbed the PDP of victory in the 2015 general elections.

    Describing Adeniran as the right candidate for the PDP chair, Wachuku said the party needed a chairman that is consistent and committed, and someone who is not encumbered by litigations.

    Adeniran is contesting the chairmanship position with a former Deputy National Chairman (Southwest), Chief Olabode George and a former Minister, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja.

     

     

  • Okon to accompany Bode George to exile

    Okon to accompany Bode George to exile

    Over since retired Commodore Olabode George publicly declared that he would voluntarily head for exile if General Mohammadu Buhari won the presidential election, tongues have been wagging as to whether the old sailor would make good his threat, now that the no-nonsense general has been elected president.

    But it seems as if the man famously known as Lagos boy has been stalling and stonewalling about “checking out”, like the even more famous Andrew. Why should a sailor be afraid of the open seas?

    But it appears that the ever proactive Okon is having none of that nonsense. Okon is a traditional believer in the saying that a man’s word should be his bond and can be a very nasty enforcer indeed.

    The euphoria that greeted General Buhari’s victory had hardly died down when the mad boy crashed into snooper’s bedroom dressed like somebody headed for Siberia even as he carried a colourful basket oozing the aroma of akara, ewa aganyin, sawa and other Lagosian delicacies. A hungry snooper was more interested in the contents of the bag.

    “Okon , what is that bag?” a gamey snooper inquired with a cajoling voice.

    “Oga no be for you, na small chops for dem Lagos Boy Bode George”. Okon replied.

    “But why?” snooper asked with a hint of disappointment.

    “Oga abi you don forget say the man say him go vamoose if dem mala general come win? Naim I say make I come take permission follow am  make sure say him reach dem oyinbo obodo. If he no want go again, I go get dem Eyo boys for Isale Eko make dem flog am well well”, the mad boy screeched like a man possessed. At this point, snooper could hardly resist bursting into laughter. But Okon simply pressed on with the offensive.

    “Oga, no be joke at all at all. I dey hope say dem wuruwuru man no go say na Israel he wan go becos I no go take dat from am”, Okon screamed. Snooper was now alarmed.

    “And what is your problem with Israel?” snooper demanded.

    “Ha oga, no be dat place dem say when dem quench dem go wake after three days? We know dey dat kind army arrangement.” The mad boy snarled and then moved closer eyeing snooper with a knowing smile.

    “Oga, I hope say dem Lagos Boy go leave him beautiful wife behind for obodo”, Okon whispered with malignant mirth.

    “And what is your own with his wife?” snooper queried.

    “Ha  Oga, Okon dey Kampe. Like dem juju man for Uyo go say, a trial will conceive you!” At this point, snooper chased away the mad boy.

     

  • Intrigues as PDP chieftains, others scramble for Jonathan campaign jobs

    Intrigues as PDP chieftains, others scramble for Jonathan campaign jobs

    There is a big scramble among chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other stakeholders over who handle the re-election campaign of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The Nation gathered that the huge financial war chest that has been earmarked for the campaign is responsible for this intense jostling by politicians within the PDP, members of some opposition parties who are sympathetic to the re-election of Jonathan, some unnamed businessmen and technocrats.

    In the Southwest, sources say there is a stiff rivalry among party leaders including the governor-elect of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayo Fayose; a PDP chieftain, Chief Olabode George; chairman, South West Mobilisation Committee, Buruji Kashamu and Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, over who takes charge Jonathan’s 2015 campaign in the zone.

    The struggle was so fierce until recently when Jonathan allegedly told a gathering of PDP leaders in the South West that Fayose is the key to the party’s success in the zone.

    Jonathan reportedly stated this in Abuja at a meeting chaired by George at the Presidential Villa. According to reports, the group had met the president to discuss how to take charge of the campaign structure and funds in the zone ahead of the 2015 elections.

    Sources said plans to appoint a director general for the group was allegedly turned down by the president, who explained that such a move could cause confusion within the party in the zone.

    “These people who cannot even win their polling units want to compete with a man who defeated sitting governors on two occasions,” an ally of the Ekiti governor-elect said.

    But in spite of the alleged knocks to its plans, the Bode George group is said to be unrelenting in their bid to get the job. To further strengthen its base, the group recently recruited former Ogun State governor, Gbenga Daniel and former speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, into its fold.

    “With Bankole and Daniel as additional selling points, we will approach the president and let him know we are the ones who can get him the votes across the states in the Southwest. This is not about ego; it is about getting the job done and ensuring the victory of our party in 2015,” Lanre Collins, a chieftain of the party in Ogun West said.

    In the Southeast, former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi’s name is being mentioned as the right man to lead Jonathan’s campaign, even as there are indications that Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, wife of the late Igbo leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, is also being considered.

    Our sources disclosed that Bianca’s interest in the Jonathan 2015 campaign may have prompted her latest bid to reconcile the warring factions in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    But a presidency said Ojukwu’s interest in the job is an afterthought, as she had earlier supported the choice of Obi for the same assignment.

    In the North Central zone, there are unconfirmed reports that the Niger State governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu and PDP National Vice Chairman, Alhaji Yusuff Ayitogu, are allegedly scheming to head the president’s re-election team in the zone.

    While Aliyu is banking on his new found closeness to the Presidency to corner the job, Ayitogu is said to be the preferred choice of the party leaders in the zone given his track record as a team player and mobiliser.

    The scramble for Jonathan’s re-election campaign job is not limited to the chieftains of his party alone.

    Recent statements credited to the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Prof. Rufai Ahmed Alkali revealed that there are over 8, 000 pro-Jonathan groups across the country.

    Among the groups include the Goodluck Support Group (GSG), founded by the former Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Ahmed Gulak. Following his sack by President Goodluck Jonathan in May, his former deputy, Eddy Olafeso, became the leader of the group.

    The National Consolidation Group (NCG), established by Mr. Ajon Ugboho, is another pro-Jonathan body that has been mobilising support for the President across the country.

    There is also Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) reportedly backed by Senator Ifeanyi Uba, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, among others.

    The Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko, sources say, has also launched a group named Believe Nigeria, Trust Goodluck (BNTG) to campaign for the re-election of the President.

    The National Coordinator of the group is Mr. Idris Usman, who won the best state coordinator of the defunct Neighbour To Neighbour (N to N), which worked for President Goodluck Jonathan’s election in 2011.

    There are also the Protectors of Nigerian Posterity (PNP) and Friends of Goodluck which is headed by Tom Itua.

    Even outside the shores of the country, the struggle for Jonathan’s campaign job is tense. In Spain, Jennifer Alawari Okechi Diorgu, an aesthetician and cosmetologist, is being challenged for the job by Jolaoluwa Aderinokun, the President of the nNigerian Community in the country.

  • 2015: South-West monarchs, PDP leaders plan summit for Jonathan

    2015: South-West monarchs, PDP leaders plan summit for Jonathan

    PREPARATIONS for President Goodluck Jonathan’s return to power in 2015 have continued to gain momentum, amid plans by some South-West leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to mobilise traditional rulers in the zone in support of the president

    A summit of South-West traditional rulers at the instance of the newly formed Egbe Iyipada Yoruba led by a PDP chieftain, Chief Olabode George, has been scheduled to this effect.

    Proposal for the summit was prepared by the group during its just concluded meeting in Abuja.

    Members of the group had held a meeting with the president on the planned summit of South-West traditional rulers scheduled to hold at the Oduduwa Hall of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife next week.

    Already, PDP South-West elders had passed a resolution urging Jonathan to declare his interest in the presidential election, based on what they described as his good account of stewardship.

    In addition, the Egbe Iyipada Yoruba is also organising a musical concert designed specifically to mobilise support for Jonathan ahead of the 2015 presidential election.

    The concert has been slated for the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos.

    The new found romance between the south-west PDP leaders and President Jonathan, according to Chief Bode George, was meant to ensure the return of the zone to the main stream of governance by 2015, as part of moves to end Yoruba marginalisation in the federal cabinet.

    The leaders also resolved to close ranks and also strengthen the PDP machinery in the zone ahead of the 2015 polls.

  • Southwest PDP leaders void Filani’s suspension

    The Southwest zonal leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party have voided the suspension of Chief Ishola Filani as zonal chairman of the party.

    Filani was suspended on September 3, by a group within the zone, for allegedly running the affairs of the party as a personal estate.

    But rising from a meeting of the zonal forum in Abuja on Wednesday, the leaders described Filani’s suspension as illegal and unwarranted.

    Convener of the meeting, Chief Olabode George, said only the National Executive Committee of the party had the powers to suspend Filani and not a group within the zonal leadership.

    George added that the suspension order was inimical to the zone’s preparation for the 2015 general election, as, according to him, it could generate intractable crisis in the zone.

    He chided the group that suspended Filani for failing to explore laid down procedures and without taking into cognisance the implication of the action on the stability of the party in the zone.

    George also noted that the group failed to lodge any complaint against Filani before taking such action, adding that if allowed to stand, the order could jeopardise the existing fragile peace in the zonal chapter.

    George and other leaders at the meeting called on the national leadership of the party to call those behind the action to order.

    Also commenting on the suspension order, the Ondo State chairman of the PDP, Ebenezer Alade, said the party’s elders were not consulted before the action was taken.

    Alade said there was no record of wrongdoing against Filani before the national leadership of the party at the time he was suspended.

     

  • Southwest PDP leaders back Oladipo as National Secretary

    Southwest PDP leaders back Oladipo as National Secretary

    •Oyinlola meets Jonathan, says ‘I’m authentic scribe’

    The Southwest zonal leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have thrown their weight behind the party’s incumbent National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo.

    It was gathered that the decision was taken at a meeting convened by the party’s former Deputy National Chairman (Southwest), Chief Olabode George, in Abuja last Monday night.

    The position is being contested by Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who occupied it before he was removed from office in January 2013, on the orders of a high court.

    Oyinlola had challenged his removal in the Court of Appeal and the appellate court on November 11, 2013 ordered his reinstatement.

    The order was rebuffed by the national leadership of the PDP.

    But Oyinlola has vowed to pursue the case to the Supreme Court.

    Going the decision of the Southwest PDP leaders, it was gathered that Oladipo’s position is expected to be ratified in the party’s proposed national convention, which date is yet be fixed.

    At the meeting, George was reported to have pleaded for the understanding of other zonal leaders to forge a common ground by giving Oladipo their unflinching support.

    According to sources close to the meeting, other stakeholders at the meeting agreed with George, with a view to fight the August 9 governorship election in Osun State on a united front.

    The choice of Oladipo as Oyinlola’s replacement had ruffled some feathers among some key stakeholders in the party, particularly Chief Ebenezer Babatope and Prof. Tunde Adeniran, who contested the position with Oyinlola at the party’s March 24, 2012 national convention.

    Babatope and Adeniran, who were also at the meeting, reportedly renounced their interest in the position, to give Oladipo the needed support.

    The two politicians were however said to have voiced their reservations about the way and manner Oladipo was foisted on the zone by the camp of the PDP governorship candidate in the Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, without consulting other interested parties.

    Oladipo was quoted to have expressed his appreciation to the party’s zonal leaders at the meeting, saying that he was humbled by their collective decision to accord him recognition.

    He was said to have promised to be fair to all in the discharged of his duties as the party’s National Secretary.

    Those at the meeting were Ekiti State Governor-elect Mr. Ayo Fayose; former Oyo State Governor Adebayo Alao Akala; Chief Kola Balogun, Elder Wole Oyelese; Mrs. Olusola Obada; Senator Adefemi Kila and Prince Dayo Adeyeye.

    Others include Mrs. Titi Oseni, Chief Ade Fadahunsi, Mr. Dave Salako, Chief Ade Otegbola, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, Mr. Demeji Bankole, Chief Kashamu Buruji, Mrs. Mulikat Akande and Chief Adeseye Ogunlewe.

    Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday held a closed-door meeting with Oyinlola and the PDP National Chairman Adamu Mu’azu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

    The meeting started around 11a.m.

    Discussions at the meeting might have focused on the Osun governorship election.

    Oyinlola affirmed yesterday that he was PDP’s authentic National Secretary.

    While he was replaced by Oladipo in the Bamanga Tukur-led PDP, Oyinlola occupied the office of the National Secretary of the Kawu Baraje-led faction, called the New PDP.

    Oyinlola, addressing State House correspondents after the meeting with Jonathan and Muazu, described the occupier of the office as a pretender.

    He said: “I was taken to the Villa by the chairman of the party, and we had some discussions as to how to move the fortunes of the party forward. That is all I can say.

    “All I am telling you is that Oyinlola in the face of the law remains the authentic Secretary of the PDP, anybody in that office for now, is a pretender.”

  • No division in Lagos PDP, says chairman

    No division in Lagos PDP, says chairman

    The Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not fractionalised, its Chairman, Captain Tunji Shelle (rtd), has said. He also said that the chapter has passed a vote of confidence on Chief Olabode George as its leader, adding that the retired soldier will lead the chapter to victory in 2015.

    In a statement signed on the behalf of the chairman by the Publicity Secretary, Mr. Taofeek Gani, he chided some people, who he described as strange forces, for peddling the rumour of division at a time the chapter has resolved its internal problems.

    Shelle said: “Ordinarily, we ought to ignore the statement credited to the faceless group, but for record purpose, we are inclined to state categorically that there is no faction in the Lagos PDP. We have never heard such a name in the Lagos PDP. We are one united family in Lagos PDP and it is laughable that a person or few persons can cowardly claim factionalisation of the party. Indeed, they are agent provocateurs.”

    The chairman urged party members to unite for the next general elections and put to shame the agents of destabilisation.

    He advised them to be weary of disgrunted elements impersonating loyal members.

    Shelle added: “As a matter of necessity, the Lagos State PDP has reiterated its vote of confidence on its leaders. They have their individual merits and roles to play in the party. This chapter has reaffirmed its unflinching support and loyalty to Chief Olabode george as our prime leader”.