OBJ, SW govs meet, rallying for Bode George's release
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- Category: Politics
- Published on Monday, 26 April 2010 11:42
- Written by Champion
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Former President and Chairman, Board of Trustee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday directed the South West PDP to set up a 3-man team to visit incarcerated former national deputy chairman of the party, Chief Olabode George in prison.
Obasanjo who said the team should be led by the vice chairman of the party in the zone; Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo also charged the leadership of the party not to shut its door against all those willing to return to the party.
The former president’s directive was in reaction to a request by the Ogun State chairman of the PDP, Chief Joju Fadairo who appealed to the leadership of the party to facilitate the early release from prison of Bode George who was jailed for subverting due process in contract awards as chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
Obasanjo who said all hands must be on the deck to ensure that the PDP remains united in its bid to maintain its stronghold as the ruling party in the country, counselled the leadership of the party not to hesitate to beg whoever is aggrieved so as to ensure that the stability of the party is not threatened.
He then directed that the party should commence new registration of members with a warning that no party member either old or new should be denied registration.
Speaking at the maiden expanded zonal executive meeting of the South West PDP, held at the Osogbo Township Stadium, Obasanjo said the party should rally round and be united towards consolidating its position as the leading party in the country.
According to him, "I want to direct our zonal chairman in company of some other party leaders to visit Chief Bode George wherever he is now to show our solidarity and to let him know that we have not abandoned him and our prayer is that God will not forget him" Chief Obasanjo said.
On the return of old members to the fold, Obasanjo advised old members of the party not to entertain any fear of losing out should new members be admitted into the party saying that the party had enough that could go round all its members.
Obasanjo who flays some PDP elected leaders of not showing interest in the party once they are elected, stressed that some of them are only interested in holding political offices.
For him, "the Yoruba I know are pacesetters anywhere they found themselves, but that is fastly being eroded now because of lack of commitment and I want to urge all of you here that we should show to others that we are still pacesetters for them to follow"
Earlier in his address, the national vice chairman of the zone, Alhaji Oladipo declared that the party needs repositioning ahead of the next general election, needs to strengthen its internal democracy and also abolish politics of violence and thuggery.
According to him, "we at the zone must state clearly that any candidate that emerges from any kangaroo process will be rejected. So, all state chapters must ensure strict compliance with the procedures as laid down by the National secretariat of our party.
Oladipo then warned that any aspirant found engaging in thuggery or any act of violence would be summarily dealt with by the leadership of the party.
Also speaking governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola of Osun State, Adebayo Alao-Akala of Oyo State, Segun Oni of Ekiti were unanimous that the party must create a level playing ground for all aspirants as well as imbibe internal democracy in its choice of candidates for all the elective office.
Ogun state governor, Chief Gbenga Daniel, was represented at the rally by his deputy Salamotu Badru.
