…says, ‘I can deliver power to PDP in 2019’
Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olabode Ibiyinka George, has said he would deploy experience and wisdom to rescue and position the party to regain power
in 2019, if elected as National Chairman in the coming National
Convention of the PDP.
George said this in Lagos on Friday when he formally flagged-off his campaign for the
chairmanship position of the opposition party at an impressive
gathering of PDP members drawn from across the federation.
He said he would work tirelessly to revive the dream and principles of
PDP’s founding fathers, anchored on justice, fairness and equity as
enshrined in the constitution of the party.
He promised that as PDP National Chairman, he would bring back the dignity of the party by working diligently to unite members while mending fences and healing old wounds for all to attain the collective aspiration of the once ruling party.
He said PDP under his leadership would strive to revive the economy of
Nigeria which had been battered, working with well-meaning members of
the party to get the presidential power in 2019.
George said his first task, if elected, would be to reconcile feuding factions while according party officials
at all levels the recognition they all deserve.
George, who is Atona Oodua, a Yoruba native title, said having actively served at the topmost echelon of
PDP for 10 years, working with the most experienced members, his loyalty to the party had never been in doubt, a reason members should repose confidence in him to serve well as their National Chairman.
He said, “I have learned the ropes and I have been guided by the collective wisdom of our leaders across our great nation. I fully understand the precepts, the mechanisms and the constitution of our party.
“I know the tradition, the culture, the guiding ethos and the normative patterns that our leaders have built and nurtured for so many years.
“If elected, I am willing and ready to work with everyone regardless of personal differences to mend the broken places, to heal the ancient wounds, to reconcile the feuding factions and ultimately ensure that we strengthen our collective brotherhood and speak with one voice to regain victory in 2019.
“I will never compromise our foundational principles of justice, fairness and equity as enshrined in the constitution of our party. We will equally accord all our governors, and legislators at both state and national levels the necessary pride of place and honour in this new dawn. We will protect their interests and help to enhance their effectiveness.
“If I am given the privilege to serve, I will never play the role of an overlord. I will serve with dignity and diligence. I will respect the mighty and the low without discrimination. Together, we will remove impunity. Together, we will restore discipline and fair play. We will always insist on internal democracy.”
He, however, thanked the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi, and members of the Caretaker Committee of the PDP on what he described as their commitment, loyalty and their ability to pull the party from the brink of collapse. The Caretaker Committee, he said had done a great work over the past one year.
He also commended stakeholders of PDP on their resolve to zone the
chairmanship position to the south-west zone, describing the zoning
arrangement as a veritable tool for stabilising the PDP.
Bode George had served as Zonal Vice Chairman South-West; Deputy
National Chairman (South) and Deputy National Chairman overall, the
second highest position in PDP, while he had also helped to resolve
crises within the party in all geo-political zones of the federation.
PDP members who graced the formal declaration of George
include, Former Minister, Chief Ebenezer Babatope; former Deputy
Governor, Lagos State, Senator Kofoworola Bucknor Akerele; former
Minister of Communications, Chief Dapo Sarumi; Former Minister of
Special Duties, Elder Wole Oyelese; former PDP Chairman, Ogun State,
Chief Joju Fadairo; former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Erelu
Olusola Obada; National Vice Chairaman, PDP, Dr Eddy Olafeso; former
PDP Chairman, Lagos State, Captain Tunji Shelle, former Interim
National Chairman, PDP, Chief Ishola Filani, and all Exco members of PDP
in Lagos state.
Others include, Hon Tajudeen Obasa, Chief Kehinde Kuku, Chief Tajudeen
Oladipo, Mr Seyi Makinde, a governorship aspirant, Oyo state; former
Deputy Governor, Oyo State, Chief Azeem Gbolarumi; Aremo Femi Adetola,
Chief Remi Akintoye Hon Oladele Bankole Balogun and PDP leaders from
the South-East, South-South and the North.
