Bode George has reacted to the claim that the PDP has collapsed in Lagos State.
Eko Hot News reports that a former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has likened the party’s structure in Lagos and Nigeria to the root of an Iroko or Lebanon oak tree.
George, who made this comment while addressing journalists after a PDP stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos, denied claims that the PDP structure had collapsed.
Recall some Lagos PDP chieftains, including the 2023 governorship candidate, Dr Abdul-Azeez Adediran (Jandor), and spokesman, Alh. Hakeem Amode recently defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Lagos PDP chieftains claimed that the PDP’s structure had collapsed into the ruling party, but George described their statement as “nonsensical” and rejected the claim.
George stated that all organisations face challenging moments, but PDP would endure because its roots is very deep and firmly established across the nation.
“I want to assure our leaders that the Iroko political party is very much alive,” George said.
George criticised the defectors, describing them as mere caricatures. “Who are these people in PDP?” he asked rhetorically, questioning their influence and relevance.
He regretted that a respected PDP elder endorsed Jandor in 2023, leading to him receiving the party’s flag. He now considers that endorsement unfortunate.
“It is absolutely nonsensical to say the PDP structure in Lagos State has collapsed into APC,” George insisted.
He said the party’s current internal crisis is solvable. “This party is an Iroko tree, like an oak in Lebanon.
“No matter the wind or storm, the Iroko will stand because of its deep roots. That is why we’ve survived till today,” he said.
George said the PDP is assessing its self-inflicted mistakes and has learnt valuable lessons from the 2023 election experience.
“These people believe we’ve collapsed, but it’s a lie,” he reiterated, dismissing the defectors’ claims as deliberate misinformation.
George said the PDP would no longer tolerate the imposition of candidates in future elections, as occurred during the last poll cycle.
“We are determined that anyone contesting must go through the people. From now on, no more ‘Baba says’ imposition,” George said.
