•Bode George
Former deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has said that despite the defection of its 2023 governorship candidate and his group, the party is intact.
George spoke yesterday, June 18 at the flag off campaign ceremony of the PDP chairmanship and councillorship candidates for the July 12, 2025 council election, reports Daily Independent.
He charged the PDP candidates to be courageous, and go about marketing their manifestos to the electorate.
The Atona Oodua of Yorubaland used the opportunity to commend the chairman of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile rtd, for her magnanimity, which enabled the party’s candidates to be accepted into the state electoral commission’s portal. “Otherwise it would have been difficult for the Party to field any candidate in the council election,” he said.
Chief George told the PDP flag bearers not to be intimidated by the ruling party, adding that even if they (APC) write the results eventually, their voices should reverberate across the state.
He said: “The essence of today is to convince the Lagos State electorate that the rumour that has been flying around that the PDP is dead is the most irresponsible statement.
“How can an iroko die? Now, when I hear that this governor has defected, I laugh.
“What has the APC government done to favour Nigerians that warrants recognition, millions of Nigerians are suffering under the APC government.
“Did you see what happened in Gombe at the weekend Did you see that show of shame? That’s the beginning of the end for the All Progressives Congress (APC).”
He urged the candidates to campaign on the achievements of the PDP when it was in government and highlight the flaws of the APC that has turned Nigerians to miserable people.
“Be courageous enough and genuinely campaign to the people, convince the electorate on the good plans the PDP has for them.”
He said since the state government appointed members of LASIEC, there’ll be tendency for the commission to want to manipulate the election.
“If at all they manipulate things, let the vibration hit Lagos State. All of you are contesting, go out, tell the people what you’ll do, and show them the lackluster administration that the APC is leading,” George said.
Presenting the party flags to the candidates Chief Sunday Olaifa the state vice chairman, Lagos West, who represented the party chairman, Hon Philip Aivoji, accompanied by the party Legal adviser South West, Dr. Amos Fawole, Olaifa said the PDP and it’s candidates stand a better chance of winning the election, because APC is in disarray.
“The election is winnable, all we need to do is work for our success in unity. In unity we can achieve our purpose. APC is no longer attractive to the electorate, it’s not sellable.”
Dignitaries at the flag off ceremony include former Lagos State PDP chairman, Tunji Shelle, south West legal adviser, Amos Fawole, and National Ex – Officio, Nike Coker.
Others were former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Senator Kofoworola Bucknor- Akerele, member of the PDP Board of Trustee, Chief Mrs Onikepo Oshodi and Dr. Mrs. Roli Bode-George among others.
