Elders and leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party in Lagos State, including Chief Olabode George, convened on Wednesday for a reconciliation meeting aimed at strengthening unity within the state party chapter ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Leaders and Elders Stakeholders’ Meeting, organized in Lagos, highlighted the necessity for forgiveness and unity within the PDP to enhance the party’s fortunes in the upcoming general elections.
Chief Olabode George, a former PDP Deputy National Chairman and member of the party’s Board of Trustees, emphasized the importance of the meeting in discussing the future of the party and addressing present socio-economic challenges in the country.
“Nigerians have seen the difference between the PDP and APC, and obviously, Nigerians are yearning for a return of PDP to set the country on the path of recovery. So, the honest question we should be asking ourselves today is, Where did we get it wrong?” George said.
“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. We should not allow the collective unity of this party to be fragmented.”
He stressed that unity within the party chapter and the cooperation of members were crucial for future electoral victories in the state.
“It is our determination to ensure that the PDP returns to the Presidential Villa in Abuja and takes over governance in Lagos State on May 29, 2027. But, we can only do this if we are united, not divided,” George added.
“We are where we are today because of self-inflicted crises, and now is the time reconciliation should be at the top of our agenda. We should bury our individual ambitions now and not allow the PDP to crumble. We have no choice but to put our house in order.”
“We are brothers and sisters, so we should put on our thinking caps to achieve a collective goal.”
George emphasized that Nigerians were waiting for PDP in 2027 but insisted that the party must put its house in order. He advocated for justice, fairness, and equity within the party.
The PDP leader recommended that zonal committees should tour the states and zones in the next six months to calm frayed nerves and encourage genuine reconciliation.
He urged members not to allow any sentiment, whether ethnic or religious, to divide the party.
“Unless we are united, with equity, fairness, and justice being the pedestal for any political decision taken, this party will be heading for disaster in 2027,” George warned.
“If we want to win the 2027 gubernatorial election in Lagos, then we must have a very strong, iron-clad, and formidable PDP now, and we should not allow ourselves to be divided.”
“We must change the narrative 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.”
Commending the convener of the meeting, Prince Tommy Ogungbe, George lauded PDP’s founding fathers such as Chief Solomon Lar, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Chief Bola Ige, Alhaji Adamu Ciroma, Chief Sunday Awoniyi, and Alhaji Bamanga Tukur for birthing the party and putting it on a strong foundation.
Philip Aivoji, the Lagos State PDP Chairman and Chief Host, commended party leaders and elders, stating that the meeting would chart a roadmap for a stronger and more cohesive PDP in the state.
In his welcome address, Ogungbe commended the party leaders and elders for attending the reconciliation meeting, indicating their commitment to the future of the party.
He noted that the party’s performance in 2023 was its worst in history and stressed the need to resolve all issues ahead of 2027.
“We have never had it so bad since inception. There was a total breakdown of responsibilities, and lack of unity among all tiers of our administrative structures were in disarray.”
“This is among the major reasons why this stakeholders’ meeting is so necessary for leaders of the party in the state to come together and draw a roadmap for a bigger and stronger party that will be ready to wrestle power from the ruling party.”
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that PDP elders in attendance included Dr. Abimbola Ogunkelu, a BOT member, and Alhaji Mohammed Ashorobi, the first elected Lagos PDP Chairman.
Other party chieftains from the state and local government areas also attended the meeting.
