A Lagos chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aligned with Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has extended an olive branch to party chieftain, Bode George, urging him to work with the faction as preparations begin for the 2027 general elections.
The call was made on Sunday, June 21, by Hakeem Olalemi, the faction’s State Organising Secretary, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who said the party was open to reconciliation with leaders and members from opposing camps.
George, one of the PDP’s founding members, has remained a vocal critic of Wike and is associated with the faction led by Dr Kabiru Turaki and backed by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.
Despite the political differences, Olalemi described George as a respected elder whose place in the party remains secure.
“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 said the PDP’s tradition has always been to resolve disputes internally and reunite members after disagreements.
“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.
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“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 party official also urged members to support the National Working Committee headed by Alhaji Abdurahman Mohammed, which his faction considers the legitimate leadership of the party.
Speaking on the political landscape in Lagos, Olalemi dismissed the chances of emerging opposition groups, insisting that the PDP remains the dominant opposition force in the state.
“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?” he said.
He revealed that the party had begun strengthening its grassroots network across the state as part of its strategy for the 2027 elections.
“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 also predicted that politicians who left the PDP would eventually return because of the party’s nationwide structure and enduring relevance.
“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.
(NAN)