Chief Olabode George, a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has warned that the party risks disaster in the 2027 elections unless it unites and takes action against those causing internal divisions.
Speaking at a news conference at his Ikoyi residence in Lagos on Friday, the former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP described the ongoing leadership crisis as self-inflicted.
George criticized the recent struggle over the position of the party’s national secretary, calling it a national embarrassment. He also condemned the disruption of the 79th PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting in Abuja, where thugs allegedly stormed the venue.
He stated, “We’ve 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.
“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.
“What happened on Wednesday 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 elders, seems to be losing these values,” he said.
He listed some of the founding fathers as Chief Solomon Lar, Dr Alex Ekwueme, Chief Bola Ige, Alhaji Adamu Ciroma, Chief Sunday Awoniyi, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and Chief Sunday Afolabi.
“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,” George said.
According to him, if PDP indeed is 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.
“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,” he said.
Decrying the situation in which party officers were attacked and dragged out of the hall by thugs, he said: “What a desecration of our office! This is profanity of the highest order.”
“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.”
(NAN)
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