The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, which supports Minister Nyesom Wike, has asked Chief Bode George to come back to the party. They want him to join the main leadership structure to help strengthen the party as they prepare for the 2027 general elections.
Mr Hakeem Olalemi, who is the State Organising Secretary of this faction, made the request in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Sunday.
According to NAN, George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, is with the National Working Committee led by Dr Kabiru Turaki, who has support from Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State. George has openly criticized Wike and his actions in the PDP since the party's leadership crisis started.
Olalemi talked about the party's state and its plans for the upcoming elections. He said George is still a respected leader and an important member of the PDP family, despite the disagreements within the party.
He noted that George’s experience and input make him a key asset for the party. Olalemi emphasized that it is necessary for George to stay in the party's main leadership structure for progress.
"Chief Bode George is always welcome in the PDP. We have great respect for him and there is room for him within the party.
"Chief Bode George loves PDP. He cannot leave PDP. He is coming back to the mainstream to work for the party’s progress.
"He is our father. He is a foundation member; nobody can ask where he is coming from. We will welcome him back to the fold," he said.
Olalemi insisted that the PDP is still a united family, even with some differences among leaders and members. He said the culture of reconciliation and inclusion is part of the party's tradition.
"The PDP is a family. If we use one hand to discipline a child, we use the other hand to bring him back.
"That is what has been keeping us together. There is room for everybody who believes in the progress of the party.
"We must forget the past. We want everyone on the other side to come back and be with us to build this party again," Olalemi added.
The PDP chieftain urged party leaders to support the recognized Alhaji Abdurahman Mohammed-led National Working Committee as they look toward 2027 and beyond. He said all members and stakeholders should come together to make the party stronger.
Olalemi also dismissed worries about new opposition groups in the state. He called these movements weak and said they cannot challenge the PDP's position.
He said, "There is no other opposition in Lagos except PDP in Lagos.
"All those people that I call mushroom parties cannot match us in terms of experience, exposure and political structure.
"You should look at the pedigree of their governorship candidates. Who among them can be compared with our candidate in terms of experience and exposure?"
Olalemi said the party has started to strengthen its structures across the state in preparation for 2027. He mentioned that PDP members are mobilizing support at ward, local government, and zonal levels.
"So, I am telling you now that PDP in Lagos State is more than ready to slug it out with APC in the 2027 general elections.
"We are ready to give them a fight in 2027. We are rejigging our machinery at the various local governments, wards and zones.
"PDP is everywhere in Lagos State. Most of the candidates in those opposition parties were originally PDP members," he added.
Olalemi is confident that politicians who left the PDP will eventually return. He believes this is because of the party's strong structure and presence across Nigeria.
"Those who have left will come back to the fold. All of them will return to PDP because they know where the structure is," Olalemi said.
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