CHIEF Olabode Ibikunle George, is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Lagos State. During the rescheduled National Assembly elections held last week, Chief George bared his mind on issues bordering on the recent defection of some PDP stalwarts to the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, his incarceration and the infighting in the state chapter of the party. Excerpts:
Would you say that PDP in Lagos State is prepared for this election?
Very prepared. It is not only when you see adverts in the newspapers, the base of the pyramid are the downtrodden and we have appealed to their hearts and minds. The people have found that they are the employers of those elected and not the other way round. With all the harsh pressures on the people, how do you get them to vote for you? The middle and upper class are crushing under the heavy weight of taxation; so, it is obvious to the people.
What is your take on comments that some PDP leaders were angry that you are responsible for the division in the party?
You know people who were admitted to the PDP came from the Alliance for Democracy, AD. They are not used to the culture of the party; they came from a party which is undemocratic.
What of Wahab Dosunmu and Adeseye Ogunlewe?
They are the same, they both came from there. Remember, they jumped ship from the time they were in the Senate. That is the kind of character they exhibit; they refuse to learn the ropes, they want to be the big boys. But in this kind of game, you bid your time, grow with the party and learn the culture of the party. They cannot impose their own culture on the party.
Of course I was the symbol and I am still the symbol of the party in Lagos. Honesty of purpose, commitment and loyalty, they don’t have it. They don’t even understand these two words: loyalty and commitment,that is why they are junketing. They think they can just come through the back door and hit the roof top, it does not work that way.
Do you agree with him? That He is the symbol of PDP in Lagos
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