The meeting, which was chaired by the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, listed 183 chieftains from across the six geopolitical zones for attendance.

Damagum canvassed the need to reconcile aggrieved members and to strengthen the party for future challenges.

He said: “We have had series of meetings with the members of the national ex officio, state chairmen, Board of Trustees members as well as members of the National Assembly.

“This is a continuation of the discussions on what happened during the previous meetings. The whole idea is to unite the party.

“Initially, the meeting was supposed to be for only the founding fathers of this party. But we realised that after over twenty years of the existence of this party, a lot of people have also graduated to be founding fathers.

“From our first set of governors who may not really be the founding fathers, we have had leaders who have contributed their own quota to be recognised as members of this great party and leaders in their own right”.

The party chairman urged stakeholders to be mindful of their utterances while voicing their grievances, saying that PDP remains one family regardless of individual grievances.

The PDP National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, gave a breakdown of the party’s performance at the last general election.

Bature said: “In the State Houses of Assembly, we have 342 members. We have 116 members in the House of Representatives. In the Senate, we have 36 members, and we have 13 Governors. We believe strongly that the ongoing tribunal cases in Kaduna, Nasarawa, Ogun, Kaduna and Sokoto States will be in our favour”.

Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Adolphus Wabara cautioned members on their public statements regarding proceedings in the ongoing election petition cases.

Those who attended the meeting included a former Senate President, Bukola Saraki; immediate past Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel; and PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja

Others are Chief Olabode George, Chief Tom Ikimi, Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri, Dr Babangida Aliyu among others.

However, three members of the G-5 who were invited to the meeting did not show up. They are former Governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu).

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Over the years, George has been a major critic of the President-elect and has threatened to go on exile if Tinubu becomes Nigeria’s president.

But some elders in Lagos State, weekend, met with the PDP leader and urged him to support and collaborate with Tinubu as he assumes office on May 29.

The outcome of the meeting to reconcile George and Tinubu was brokered by a former judge of the Lagos State High Court, Justice Ishola Olorunnimbe (retd).

The meeting, which dragged late into the night on Saturday, had in attendance leader of the Governance Advisory Council, GAC, the apex leadership of the party in Lagos State, Prince Tajudeen Olusi; the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; former Deputy Governors of Lagos State, Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele and Prince Abiodun Ogunleye.

Others present are former acting Secretary of the PDP, Chief Remi Akitoye; former Minister of Communications, Major General Tajudeen Olarenwaju (retd); Chief Gbadebo Dallas and Mrs Onikepo Oshodi.

Speaking after the meeting, Chief George commended the elders for the peace parley adding that it is a positive step towards a new Lagos.

On the request made by the APC leaders urging him to cease further fire against Tinubu, the PDP leader said he has nothing personal against the President-elect.

His words: “Let me say there is no political differences. Justice Olorunnimbe is like a father, we respect our fathers in Lagos. When I got an invitation from Papa Olusi that he wanted to come and see me the first time, I told my friend who delivered the message that I should go and visit him and not the other way round. But Papa Olusi said he had to come and see and that it had to do with the situation in Lagos.

“This is the second time Papa Olusi is visiting. We had detailed discussions that bothered on the unity of Lagos. I must say we re-established the fact that the culture of Lagos is to accept and accommodate other tribes.

“Secondly, on the details of us working together, because a divided house will be a defeated house, I have explained to Baba Olusi that there is no problem about working together. The kind of platform we are trying to have is for a unity of purpose in Lagos State, irrespective of party affiliations.

“On the bottom line, you are a Lagosian though we can different political affiliations. Now, they came for three things: they talked about the running battle I had with Tinubu and I have said I absolutely have no battle, nothing personal between him and I.

“What had happened has gone, vengeance is not mine but the almighty God. We will have differences, we will disagree but we must not be disagreeable.

“They made a request which we are all looking at. They requested that someday we should also congratulate Asiwaju and we said yes, but that I belong to a political party. They are all in the courts now. Let us finish the court cases. Whichever way that goes, the issue of congratulating him or not will come to fruition. I have nothing personal and nothing happens without the almighty God. As a believer, that is my school of thought.

“This union and discussion we have had is a positive step towards a new Lagos.”

Speaking on the purpose of their visit, Chief Olusi explained that the meeting was to seek the collaboration of George and other elders for the development of Lagos State.

He said: “This is a gathering of eminent Lagosians and this is my second coming to meet with Chief Olabode George. The president-elect of Nigeria is Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, he was a former Senator from Lagos but we know that the relationship between the President-elect and Chief Olabode George is not cordial. We think it is important that as leaders of the community, we should take steps to improve the relationship. Therefore, I got an appointment with Chief George on May 1, 2023 to discuss and request for a further meeting.

“I also requested that a former justice in Lagos State, Justice Olorunnimbe (retd) be here to put his elderly posture as well as his experience in ensuring that we have a cordial discussion with Chief Bode George.

“The meeting has been cordial and useful; and I can tell you that we have agreed on the mission of this delegation that we, in Lagos with Chief Bode George, should give our support to the President-elect as soon as he assumes office on May 29 as the president of Nigeria for the good of Lagos and betterment of the country.

“That is the purpose of our discussion and it has been successful.”

Also speaking, Justice Olorunnimbe (retd), who brokered the peace parley, described the meeting as fruitful. “The discussion was cordial, frank and interesting. There is a concensus that we, as leaders of the community must cooperate. Chief Bode George, in his usual human approach hosted us and we had a fruitful discussion which will benefit all of us.

“Let me make it known that this is not a political meeting but a meeting of elders of the Lagos community, discussing with another elder statesman, who all of us have great respect for.”

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Chairman of the Screening Committee, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, disclosed this when he addressed journalists on the exercise at the party Secretariat on Friday in Abuja.

Ize-Iyamu, who commended the peaceful conduct by the candidates, expressed optimism that the convention would be credible.

The cleared candidates are: Prince Uche Secondus, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, Taoheed Adedoja, Chief Olabode George, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Sen.Rashidi Ladoja, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Chief Jimi Agbaje and Aderemi Olusegun.

In his brief remarks, Chairman of the Convention Planning Committee and Governor of Delta, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, pledged the readiness of the committee to conduct credible and transparent convention.

Okowa also assured that adequate steps had been taken to secure the Eagles Square, venue of the convention.

“We are very much aware of the security alert about Abuja. The security committee is working very closely with the security agencies to ensure a smooth convention,” said Okowa.

The governor added that security sub-committee was “working very closely with the police and relevant security agencies,” to ensure a smooth exercise.

He, however, said that only properly accredited journalists would be allowed entrance to the convention venue.

Chairman, Post-Convention Planning Committee and Bayelsa Governor, Seriake Dickson tasked all aspirants to demonstrate the spirit of sportsmanship before, during and after the contest.

He said that the spirit of sportsmanship was key, adding that only one candidate would win the election.

Dickson, who thanked Okowa for his work described the convention planning committee members as credible people, adding that that the party had confidence in them.

Dickson advised the candidates to feel free to approach the committee, to seek clarification on any issue pertaining to the convention.

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Babatope, who is leading George’s campaign organisation for his aspiration in the Dec. 9 convention of the party, told newsmen in Lagos on Friday that George had the ability to lead the party.

He described as “improper” the call by a group within the party on George to step down for a younger candidate ahead of the convention.

The group, “Renaissance”, made up of some ex-governors and National Assembly members have reportedly backed former governor of Ogun, Gbenga Daniel, as the party’s chairman.

But, Babatope said George would never step down for anyone as experience, maturity and passion, more than anything else was required to reposition the party.

“How can anyone say George should step down for a more youthful candidate? No, that is wrong, George will never step down for anybody.

“What the party needs at this point in time is someone with maturity, experience and passion to reposition the party and return it to winning ways.

“I can tell you that Chief Bode George is an embodiment of all that. He is experienced, tested and trusted. He is a stickler to the philosophies of the party and he will deliver.

“You see, the elders can’t be governors but they give directions to the youths based on their experience.

“The issue of youthfulness does not come in here; George is the best to lead the party,” he said.

He said there should be an open field for anybody to aspire to the chairmanship position of the party rather than calling people to step down for others.

Babatope, a former Minister of Transportation, said that Prof. Tunde Adeniran, another contender for the position, was his personal friend but that he believed George would do better owing to his track records.

He said George’s campaign organisation would soon begin aggressive electioneering ahead of the convention.

“We will soon begin a nationwide campaign for George’s aspiration. We are going to move round the country and mobilise party support for this great candidate,’’ he said.

Babatope expressed optimism that the former military administrator of old Ondo state would emerge victorious at the convention.

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Adewale is the factional chairman of PDP loyal to Sen. Ali Modu Sherrif, recently sacked by the Supreme Court as the National Chairman of the party.

Adewale, addressing journalists shortly after moving his possession out of the secretariat, said that this was in line with the directive from the national headquarters of the party.

He said that a letter from the party headquarters had directed him to hand over to BoT members in the state.

Adewale explained that the National Caretaker Committee of PDP had ordered that the state secretariat should be handed over to Chief Bode George and other members of the party’s BoT in Lagos.

He said that the order was contained in a letter signed by the Secretary, National Caretaker Committee, Sen. Ben Obi, and addressed to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni.

The letter reads in part: “The attention of the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to the occupation of the PDP Secretariat at No. 56, Adekunle Fajuyi Crescent, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, by a group.

“Section 32(5) (e) of the PDP Constitution (2012 as amended) states that the Board of Trustees shall be vested with the assets of the party and shall serve as custodians of such assets.

“This is to avoid negative consequences that may arise from the tussle for the secretariat and in keeping with the PDP Constitution.

“The National Caretaker Committee hereby requests that you hand over the secretariat to Chief Bode George and other members of PDP Board of Trustees ( BOT) in Lagos State.”

According to Adewale, I am going to hand over the key to the BoT as instructed in the letter.

“As you can see me, I have packed out my things. I am going to drop the key now,” the PDP factional chairman said.

He instructed all his supporters to stay away from the secretariat in the interest of peace, even if the key is given to someone else.

“It is quite unfortunate that those, who as at last week Saturday, were campaigning against PDP while in Labour Party, now want to take over the secretariat.

“I was the one mobilising for the party during last Saturday local government elections in the state.

“Even at that, I am ready to leave the secretariat, the police asked us to sign an undertaking that there will be peace in Ikeja.

“I am not fighting with anybody, because if we continue this way, we will continue to lose elections in Lagos,” Adewale said.

The crisis rocking the party at both the national and state levels made those loyal to Mr Moshood Salvador to make an alliance with the Labour Party.

Salvador is the factional chairman loyal to Sen. Ahmed Markafi, who was declared by the Supreme Court declared as the authentic chairman.

The post Lagos PDP crisis: Adewale hands over party secretariat to Bode George, BOT appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

She spent several decades at the Lagos Island Maternity Hospital where she distinguished herself as a professional with selfless focus and instinctive humanitarian mission.

After her retirement from the Lagos Maternity Hospital, she devoted the rest of her life to the service of the Lord at the Olowogbowo Methodist Church in Chapel Street.

She was a leading member of Ladies Friendly Society, the Egbe Ife Group and the Helpers Union. Phillips-George was a humanitarian and community builder.

She was industrious and hardworking, ultimately latched to the principle that the good life must be about service to fellow man and the sincere devotion to God.

She was the head of the Phillips- Ijotun family of Abeokuta and the Aganga Williams family of Idumota Lagos until her peaceful transition.

She lived a fulfilled life and dedicated the rest of her existence to the tenets of Christ. She is survived by Alhaja Enitan Majolagbe, Chief Olabode Ibiyinka George, Mrs. Ibironke Onojobi and many grand children and great-grand children.

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