Bode George praises Ambode’s performance as Lagos governor.

Posted on February 17, 2017 by Staff Reporter

A leader of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Bode George, has lavished praises on the Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, for the infrastructural projects he has undertaken in some parts of the state.

Mr. George, a former deputy national chairman of the PDP, spoke with journalists at the Sheraton Hotel Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday, during the first Annual Lecture of Swaaya Limited, publishers of Freedom Online newspaper.

He said he was in awe of Mr. Ambode for the infrastructural development the governor had undertaken in Epe Local Government Area of the state. He urged the governor to replicate same in the former’s local government of Lagos Island.

“I have never met this young man, but I must say that I am impressed with his performance so far, especially in the area of infrastructural developments,” Mr George said.

“I don’t know everywhere in Lagos because I hardly go round, but I must sincerely commend him on what he is doing in Epe Local Government. I am very proud of what he is doing there.

“I passed through Epe recently and I thought I was in a different state. I want to appeal to him that when he is done with Epe, he should head back to my local government, which is Lagos Island, so that when he leaves office, not only will Epe people remember him for his performance, but the entire Lagos will remember him and say: ‘Yes, there was one Governor that passed through here and his name is Akinwunmi Ambode.”

Mr. George, a fierce critic of Mr. Ambode’s last two predecessors, Bola Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola, said the incumbent has also done exceedingly well in the area of traffic management in the state.

“I also must commend him in the area of traffic management, especially in the area of traffic decongestion in the state,” he said.

He, however, quickly added that his party will outperform the governor if given a chance to govern the state.

“He is a Yoruba man and he is doing his best, but I know that we as opposition will do better when we get there,” he said.

Since the return of democratic rule in 1999, the PDP has tried but failed to get elected into government house in Alausa, Ikeja.

On Thursday, the opposition leader was, however, more concerned about advising the incumbent governor.

“My advice to him is that he should ensure that the standards of living of Lagosians are improved, especially in the areas of education and healthcare. I must commend him because it is not easy governing a state like Lagos. Lagos is like the New York of the United States,” he said.

2019: God Will Give PDP 2nd Chance- Bode George

Posted on December 6, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Former deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George has expressed hope that God and Nigerians will give the erstwhile ruling party another opportunity to rule the country, again, in 2019.
George said this, yesterday, at his Ikoyi, Lagos office, when he hosted the South-West zonal executive of the party, led by Eddy Olafeso, which paid him a working visit.
George premised his declaration on what he called the poor performance of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government.
“Nigerians have seen the two sides of the coin and they have an opportunity to decide, based on your performance, based on the trust that they have in you. God is a God of second chance,” he said and dismissed President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration as “lacking the capacity to put smiles on the faces of Nigerians.
“I have been advising my oga (boss), Mr. President, what does he want to be remembered for? I am talking now as a general, not as a politician. If anybody is telling him, all is well; all is not well. Whatever he will do to alleviate the despondency in the land, he must do.”
He said for the main opposition party to launch itself back to reckoning, it must do away with imposition of candidates which he noted was its undoing.
“If we want to win, we must tell ourselves some home truths and go back to our drawing board. We must be just, we must be fair and we must be equitable.
“We should learn from the mistakes of the past. The penchant that ‘I am in charge, I can do and undo,’ it must end. So, let us learn that there must be justice, fairness and equity. It is a tripod: if we remove any of these three legs, we are going nowhere. If we don’t do that, we are wasting our time.
“So, all we need to do is gather ourselves together and let us give the best hands to manage us through this storm. We need experienced captains to take us to our destination. I wish them well.”
Speaking on the intractable leadership tussle rocking the party, the former deputy national chairman of the party accused the former Borno State governor and factional national chairman, Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff of doing the bidding of certain forces outside the PDP, whom he claimed were determined to run the party aground.
“I will just appeal to Senator Ali Modu Sheriff: enough is enough. The political rascality, judicial rascality must stop for posterity. All these unnecessary litigations.
“There is an adage in Yoruba that when you see a bush rat dancing in the middle of the road, the drummers are in the bush. Let him take it easy, for the sake of the future generations of this country. Those who invited him, I hope they have learnt a lesson. It takes one terrible person to throw a stone into the well, one million professors won’t be able to find that stone.”
Earlier in his remarks, Olafeso disclosed that his leadership was on a working visit to George to brief him about the outcome of Ondo State governorship election and the future of the party in the zone.

Credit:

http://sunnewsonline.com/2019-godll-give-pdp-2nd-chance-bode-george/

PDP Governors Divide Over Bode George, Agbaje

Posted on August 8, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party are said to be sharply divided on whether to support Chief Bode George or Mr. Jimi Agbaje for the position of the national chairman of the party, investigations have revealed.

George, who is believed to be the political godfather of Agbaje, had paid the mandatory N1m and had therefore picked his Expression of Interest form at the party’s temporary headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.

Agabaje, who was the governorship candidate of the party in Lagos during the last election, has yet to pay for his nomination form.

However, a source close to him said that the pharmacist-turned politician would pick his nomination form on Tuesday (tomorrow) in Abuja.

“I can confirm and confide in you that he will pay and pick his form in Abuja on Tuesday,” the source added.

He was said to be the candidate of Bode George during the election, which the PDP lost to the incumbent Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.

http://punchng.com/pdp-chair-bode-george-agbaje-divide-governors/

Bode George Promises To Restore PDP’s Past Glory

Posted on August 2, 2016 by Staff Reporter

Amid leadership tussle rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the former national Deputy Chairman of the party, Chief Bode George, on Monday said he has the political magic wand and skills to reposition the party.

George who stated this at a carnival-like flag-off of his campaign for the office of the national chairman of the party, which was held at the party’s secretariat in Lagos, pointed out that in the face of the current challenges, it is only a leader with uncommon leadership skills that can salvage the party.

He said, “These are not happy days for our party. The times appear dark and bleak. The horizon is uncertain. We are being assailed in every corner. Problems brew everywhere. Our challenges appear endless and intractable. Every day we are confronted with a new drama and with a new hurdle. Certainly, there are some obvious and not so obvious interests inside and outside our party who do not wish us well.”

George lamented that the party’s effectiveness as the opposition party is being rendered inconsequential and virtually of no value, saying the members have continued to engage themselves in destructive mutual consumption.

Harping on how the party derailed from its set objectives George said, “We were humble and fair. We were diligent without being arbitrary. We were self-confident without being aggressive. We were dedicated, disciplined, realistic without being crude, without being indifferent. We were loyal without being tainted with the distorting seeds of mercenary coloration.

“Times have changed! Our great party is no longer recognizable today. A lot of distortions have set in. Indiscipline has eroded the foundations of old. Selfishness and greed have compromised the great idealisms and the logical principles of our founding fathers.”

“We lost the presidential election because we had lost faith in the goals and the standards that had been erected by our founding fathers. We lost the election because we became distant and indifferent to the needs and the aspirations of the people.”

“The centerpiece of every democratic society is the embrace and the cultivation of the populist inclinations and necessities. Our campaign was hydra-headed without a coherent pivotal balance. We lacked direction and purposefulness. We ignored what was important to every man and woman and pretended everything was smooth and normal.”

He noted that the party cannot afford to be stampeded into making wrong decisions again or be hurried into entrusting the fate of the party to neophytes and inexperienced people.

“This is not the time for experimentation and whistling in the dark. This is not the time for untested characters and new-fangled moguls who are merely on a junketing spree. This is not the time for desperate time-servers and little men without vision.”

“Our party needs a rescue. Our party needs redemption. Our party deserves a balanced, experienced, tested, trusted and faithful hand. Our party needs a team player and a unifying leadership. Our party needs stability.”

“Here and now, I am humbly making a stand and a declaration as an aspirant for the position of the office of the National Chairman of our party with a vision to serve as a bridge builder, as a peace-maker and as a healer of the broken places,” he said.

Groups, Divisions In APC Slowing Down Buhari– Bode George

Posted on April 21, 2016 by Staff Reporter

A leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former deputy chairman of the party, Chief Olabode George has urged Nigerians to be patient with President Muhammadu Buhari as he grapples with the myriads of problems confronting the country.

George, who said he has refrained from joining issues with him because, “it is just a year and personally, I don’t believe this is the time to start kicking them”, described Nigerians as “ very impatient.”

He identified the congregation of different groups in the party which has defied proper fusion as the major cause of the many problems afflicting the government which has slowed down progress. Describing the President’s All Progressives Congress (APC) as a “congregation of strange bed fellows”, he averred that the instability in the party has frustrated the expectations and hopes of Nigerians on the government, adding that, “if you don’t have a solid political foundation, forget about any economic growth.”

George further advised the APC not to make the mistake of the PDP by allowing these crises and divisions, which he blamed for the latter’s ouster from government in the 2015 presidential elections.

“For me, it is still too early. Understandably, they came from different groups that make up the party. They are still struggling…politics and political activities are the foundation for economic growth.

“If you don’t have a solid political foundation, forget about any economic growth. It is sine qua non. There is CPC, ACN, APGA, nPDP. It is a congregation of strange bedfellows. It will take time for them to melt together.

“We don’t want to go into that crises and divisions, because we know what happened to our party that we got a bloody nose. Thank God it was not a technical knockout”

On the crises rocking the PDP ahead of its National Convention in May, George blamed it on individuals and groups who have put their ambitions before other considerations including the party’s constitution.

He advised the party to stick to the report of the Ike Ekweremadu’s committee report which had been adopted by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.

According to him, the committee zoned the presidential slot for the 2019 elections to the north, the vice president to the south, the Senate president to the North, the Speaker of the House to the south, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to the North, and the National Chairman to the south.

He vowed to challenge any alteration of this arrangement which he said was devised in the interest of equity, fairness and the corporate existence of the nation, with every legal means at his disposal.

Credit: Sun

I Didn’t Collect N100m From Yuguda — Bode George

Posted on December 14, 2015 by Staff Reporter

FORMER Deputy National Chairman of Peoples Demcoratic Party, PDP, Chief Olabode George, has denied collecting N100 million from former Minister of Finance (State), Mr Bashir Yuguda, saying it is another blatant falsehood, stripped of any iota of truth.

George, who is also the Atona Oodua of Yorubaland, described the claim as “mischievous and deliberately fraudulent.”

The PDP leader, in a statement said: “My attention has been drawn to another mischievous and deliberately fraudulent claim that I collected N100 million from Bashir Yuguda, the former Minister of State for Finance. This is another blatant falsehood, stripped of any iota of truth. This is yet again a depraved continuation of lynch mob journalism orchestrated by an online newspaper.”

In an effort to set the records straight, he said: “The salient fact is that very early this year, long before the election period, the party set up Contact and Mobilization Commttee for each zone to reconcile various factions and ensure a firm unity of purpose within the zones before the election. I was elected as the Chairman for the South-West zone.

“The committee which was made up of 18 senior members of the party with distinguished history of honour and exemplary leadership, met at least 10 times in my office in Lagos. These people travelled all the way from every corner of the South-West, with three members representing each state. All of them are very much alive to testify to my assertions. Sometime in the middle of these deliberations, Yuguda came to me and said the party was reimbursing the 18 elders of the committee for their transportation, accommodation and feeding allowance for the work that was done.

“The committee later submitted the report of its deliberations to the party and then wound up. For all these efforts Yuguda gave the committee only $30,000. That was less than N6 million at that time. Yuguda can never claim that he gave the Committee N100 million. That is the figment of the imagination of rascally scribblers purporting to be journalists. Again, facts are sacred.”

Bode George, Former Governor Odili Allegedly Got N100M Each From Dasuki In Arms Purchase Scam

Posted on December 3, 2015 by Staff Reporter

A source at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has linked former Governor Peter Odili of Rivers State and a once convicted top member of the Peoples Democratic Party, Bode George, with receiving N100 million each from the former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (ret.).

The EFCC source told SaharaReporters that the largess to the two PDP officials was diverted from funds meant for the purchase of arms in order to better equip the Nigerian military in its campaign against Islamist terror group, Boko Haram.

Instead, the N200 million paid to the two PDP stalwarts was designed to ensure the re-election of former President Goodluck Jonathan, who lost the presidential election held on March 28, 2015.

A panel appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari is currently investigating the reported theft of more than $2 billion from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in the name of purchasing arms. Mr. Dasuki, who was arrested yesterday, initially claimed he stole no funds, adding that Mr. Jonathan approved all his expenses related to arms deals. However, his position changed soon as he was confronted with the statement written by his former director of finance, Shuaibu Salisu who had squealed on all those involved in the scam to investigators.

Nigerian law enforcement agents have so far arrested twenty one persons in relation to the arms purchase scandal. Those under detention or arrest include former senior staff of the office of the National Security Adviser, a former state governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, and the owner of African Independent Television (AIT) network, Raymond Dokpesi. All the arrested suspected are being interrogated in connection with money laundering.

Yesterday, the former NSA, Mr. Dasuki, joined the other suspects at the offices of the EFCC. Agents of the Department of State Services (DSS) handed Mr. Dasuki over to EFCC operatives who have begun questioning him on how he allegedly diverted funds meant for arms purchase into Mr. Jonathan’s re-election campaign.

An EFCC investigator told SaharaReporters that some of the detained suspects were now providing useful information after almost all of them initially exhibited resistance.

AIT proprietor, Mr. Dokpesi, has openly asserted that he received funds from the NSA to run publicity for the Jonathan and PDP campaigns. An official of the EFCC told SaharaReporters that it was “unbelievable for the NSA [National Security Adviser] to be the person allocating money for political campaigns.”

Mr. Bafarawa, whose detention was approved by a court order, has stated that he received N4.6 billion from Mr. Dasuki for “spiritual purposes.” Our EFCC source said their agents were still questioning the former governor to explain what was meant by “spiritual purposes.”

Our source revealed that Mr. Odili and Mr. George “may soon be invited to explain why they received N100 million each from funds budgeted for arms purchase.”

Those still in EFCC detention as at last night are as follows: Shuaibu Salisu, Abba MT Usman, Sagir Attahiru, Evegny Kundaev, Aminu Baba Kusa, Salisu Usman Garu, Bashir Yuguda, Attahiru Bafarawa. Mr. Dokpesi was released last night after meeting bail conditions.

The case of Bode George is instructive, at a thanksgiving service held by him after his release from prison in 2011 in Lagos a Lagos priest delivering a sermon entitled, ‘A minister and a witness,’ Venerable Tayo Aduloju had this to say according to Punch newspaper: “If you are involved in any shady deal; if you are found anywhere elections are rigged; and partake in any form of manipulation, it means you have not learnt anything from your experience. Real power belongs to God. It does not belong to PDP. It does not belong to any president.

“As from today, you are expected to represent Christ. You are an ambassador of Christ. Never again will the name of God be soiled through you.”

Aduloju also charged politicians to shun thuggery, rigging and avarice so as to return the country on the path of decency.

He said, “Shun thuggery. Shun violence. Shun greed. Shun rigging and whatever that can cause trouble.”

Mr. George later denounced this priest at a press conference.

Credit : Sahara Reporters

Roli Bode George Becomes Acting Chairman Of NDLEA

Posted on November 26, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Roli Bode George, the wife of PDP Chieftain, Bode George has assumed office as the acting Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA. Her appointment comes after the former chairman of the anti-drug agency Ahmadu Giade retired from office on Wednesday November 25th after serving the agency for 10 years.

Giade handed over to the Roli Bode-George in a parade at the Ikoyi headquarters, Lagos. Roli was appointed DG of the agency in June 2014 by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Nigeria Can’t Survive Another Civil War – Bode George

Posted on November 24, 2015 by Staff Reporter

A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Bode George, says the Federal Government and the pro-Biafran agitators must tread softly, adding that no nation has ever survived two civil wars.

George said this at an event to commemorate his 70th birthday in Lagos on Monday.

The PDP leader cautioned the two groups at the forefront of the pro-Biafra agitation: the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra and the Indigenous People of Biafra.

He said secession was not the answer to the problems of Nigeria.

While pleading with the protesters and their leaders to hold talks with the Federal Government, George called for an equitable distribution of resources and appointments in the country, adding that the government must give every tribe and region a sense of belonging.

He said, “I want to plead with the Biafran protesters to be patient and I urge them to tread softly. No nation goes to civil war twice and survives. We are still meandering to build nationhood.

“Let us build this nation together. We must ensure that everyone has a sense of belonging. Sharing of resources and appointments should not be a winner-takes-all affair. Let us debate and deliberate over our affairs. Dismembering the system through protests and agitations is not the solution.”

George, who recently returned to Nigeria after spending over five months in London following the defeat of the PDP at the centre, said the party would have retained power but for some mistakes it made.

The PDP chieftain said the PDP leadership erred by making some people ministers even though they did not deserve it.

While making a veiled reference to a former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, George said the PDP would have performed better in Lagos had the presidency not empowered people who were not committed to the party.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the PDP in Lagos State, Capt. Tunji Shelle (retd.), said the party made a lot of mistakes in the last elections.

Shelle said some people were given campaign funds but absconded with the money. He added that some of the people had travelled out of the country in shame.

He, however, maintained that the PDP would continue to be an effective opposition.

He said, “Money went into the wrong hands. The people who should not handle money were the ones who handled money for the PDP. I don’t want to start mentioning names but they know themselves. Some of them cannot even stay in Nigeria today because of the damage they did to the party.

“We will continue to pray that they change their attitude and character. The PDP is a strong party but I know that Chief George has done his best.”

PDP leaders present at the event said that the party did quite well in the last elections in Lagos because of visionary leadership.

Photo: Lagos Killer Squad Names Bode George As Sponsor?

Posted on June 17, 2015 by Staff Reporter

*It’s a lie, says aide

“Chief Bode George bought our operational bus for us and stocked the vehicle with arms and ammunition whenever we were going on operation to confront our opponents.” This was the claim of one of the suspected thugs arrested by the police for the killing of a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Otun Azeez, in Isale-Eko area of Lagos Island last year. The suspect, Adebayo Dipo, 30, and two others – Alade Ogbulu, 30, and Kofi Olumede, 21 – were paraded yesterday by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Kayode Aderanti, at the Command Headquarters, Ikeja.

Aderanti said the suspects were apprehended by a Crack Squad led by Joel Oguwe. Dipo, who police described as a sharp shooter, was said to be the one who shot Azeez on the chest. At press time, George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was said to be
out of the country. But a very close aide, who craved anonymity, said it was a ploy to tarnish George’s name. He said: “Since Baba (George) started his political career, he has not bought gun or ammunition for any political thug to kill for him. “Baba has not come across anybody with the name Adebayo Dipo who claimed he (George) bought their operational vehicle and ammunition for them.”

The late Azeez was in his house that fateful morning, when someone alerted him that one Abija, a chieftain of PDP and his ‘boys,’ were fomenting trouble in the area. Immediately he heard the news, he rushed to the scene, to check if his boys were among the fighters. He reportedly tried to pacify Abija and his boys who were returning from former President Goodluck Jonathan’s rally at Tafawa Balewa Square. When the late APC chieftain got to Adeniji Adele Plaza junction, he was hit twice in the chest by gunshots from the PDP thugs. He fell down. Olumede, who hails from Ghana, said he came to Nigeria in 2007. He said: “I was into confectionery when I arrived in the country. When the money I was making was not enough, I went to join the PDP gang through a friend. “I was not the one who shot the late Azeez that fateful day.
We were coming from the PDP rally at TBS when some boys confronted us. It was in the process of exchanging fire that gunshots hit him. “Three of our members were also killed that day. To avenge their death, we regrouped and went to Isale-Eko the following day, which was on Sunday, and shot five people to death at Enuowa area of the Island.” On his part, Ogbulu said his duty was to drive the gang whenever it was going out during the campaign period. He said: “I have not killed anybody in my life. All I did was to drive the gang’s vehicle whenever its members were going on operation.

Those of us who were with Abija were not earning salary. All he gave us in return was to fix us at motor parks to collect tolls.” Ogbulu said it was Olumede, Dipo and other members of the gang who went to Isale-Eko a day after Azeez was killed and shot dead five followers of the late APC chieftain.

Dipo said Abija was persuaded by top PDP leaders in Lagos to come to their fold. He added: “Our defection to the party did not go down well with some leaders of APC; that was what led to our fight.” Items recovered from the suspects included one singlebarrelled rifle, four rounds of cartridges, two cutlasses and one axe.

Source: National Telegraph

“Tinubu’s Political Career Is Over”- Bode George

Posted on June 10, 2015 by Staff Reporter

A former National Deputy Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Bode George, has said that the political career of the National Leader, All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is over.

George said this during a telephone interview with our correspondent while reacting to the emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki as the Senate President ahead of Senator Ahmed Lawan, who was the preferred candidate of Tinubu.

Specifically, George said Tinubu should start preparing to quit politics as his political influence has grossly diminished.

The PDP leader said Nigerians had become fed up with Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande’s style of politics which he alleged involved imposition of candidates.

He said having nominated the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; and the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Tinubu should have “taken things easy” but “Tinubu continued to push his luck too far.”

He said, “You know I predicted weeks ago that the APC is just a congregation of strange bedfellows. The most beautiful thing about what has happened is that Bola Tinubu’s political influence in Nigeria is coming to a sunset and it is about five minutes to midnight for him.

“If he cannot see this now, then it will be foolish of him. He brought in the APC national chairman and the vice-president and he thinks Nigeria belongs to him. So, he thought what he did in Lagos was what he could replicate at the national level and they have shown him that he cannot continue to be the lord of the manor.

“So, if he is wise, he will slow down. President Muhammadu Buhari, as an army general, has fought more battles than him and has an understanding of things.”

George said the re-election of Senator Ike Ekweremadu as the Deputy Senate President was a victory for the PDP.

He said this was in line with his prediction that the PDP would bounce back. He praised the PDP senators for carrying out a successful ‘political manoeuvre’.

George said, “The PDP was never dead. We were only given a bloodied nose, not a technical knockout. So, this is an opportunity to start regrouping and getting ready for 2019. I want to salute the dexterity and perfect political manoeuvres for which the PDP is well known.

“People like Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande in Osun have always been local champions. Now, they have come to the national level of politics and they are now learning the tricks that all that glitters is not gold.

“I congratulate Saraki and Ekweremadu. They understand what Nigeria is all about.”

George slammed the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, for rejecting the outcome of the elections.

He said the APC had no powers to sanction Saraki.

“The APC would discipline Saraki? Is Saraki a child? They probably think they are playing local politics like the one they play in Lagos State. I welcome them to the real world,” he said.

Credit – punch.ng

Bode George Denies Involvement With Buruji Kashamu’ s Arrest

Posted on May 24, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Chief Bode George has described as a huge joke, the allegation that he was involved with the US inspired attempt to get Senator-elect, Buruji Kashamu extradited to the United States.

George now in London, gave the denial in a telephone interview with Punch. George’s wife, Roli is the Executive Secretary of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

The PDP leader said he did not have the power to give his wife orders because she was not the chairman of the NDLEA and the agency adheres to due process.

“I don’t understand what this is all about. How does Kashamu’s arrest affect the price of milk? My wife is not the chairman of the NDLEA, so how can I give her orders when she has a boss? Also, that agency always follows due process.

“I am happy that the NDLEA has issued a statement to the effect that Kashamu’s arrest has nothing to do with me or politics. I do not dabble into Ogun State politics.

“Kashamu is like a younger brother to me and he is not known to speak in such a manner. I am sure it is his media adviser that concocted this falsehood.”

Federal attorney general, Mohammed Adobe said NDLEA was acting on a request for Kashamu, who has a 21 year old drug charges in Chicago, Illinois, to answer.

PDP Crisis: Bode George Comes For Mu’azu

Posted on May 6, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George has joined the growing list of aggrieved party members calling for the sack of the party’s National Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu.

George bared his mind during a meeting called by President Goodluck Jonathan to resolve the crisis bedeviling the party.

He stated that the party’s National Working Committee should step aside for an independent group to reshuffle the party.

He noted that Mu’azu does not have any right to be the judge in the case of about him stepping aside as being canvassed by many aggrieved members of the party.

Read More: Naij

PDP National Secretary Blasts Bode George, South West Leaders

Posted on May 4, 2015 by Staff Reporter

The ongoing crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party took another dimension during the weekend as the party’s National Secretary, Adewale Oladipo, publicly attacked the South-West leaders of the PDP for trying to tear the party apart.

The PDP secretary was reacting to a recent call by the South-West leaders on the members of the PDP National Working Committee to resign their positions.

Oladapo described the call as unfortunate, saying that the southwest leaders had lost focus.

The leaders had in a statement after their meeting in Ado Ekiti, insisted that the NWC members, including the National Chairman of the PDP, should resign over the party’s fallout in the just concluded general elections.

A former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Bode George, who read the statement, noted that some members need to exit so the party could rebuild its broken walls.

Reacting to George’s submission, Oladipo slammed the PDP leaders who could not deliver their wards during the elections could be seeking their resignation.

He said, “My attention has been drawn to a communiqué purportedly issued by some PDP leaders in the South-West calling on me, the National Secretary Prof. Adewale Oladipo and the National Auditor, Alhaji Adewole Adeyanju, to resign from the PDP NWC…”

Read More: dailypost

Tinubu Replies Bode George: No Apologies For You

Posted on April 29, 2015 by Staff Reporter

I was informed about a recent interview by Bode George in one of the national dailies and felt it necessary to clarify his claim that I begged him for forgiveness. I don’t know when and how I ever offended Mr.George. I have never wronged the man or even thought of it. I sought no forgiveness because no forgiveness was needed.

I think somehow he is still trying to implicate me as instigating the criminal proceedings once lodged against him. From my recollection, Mr. George was found guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction based on convincing evidence of wrongdoing. He insults the judiciary by implying that his conviction was wrongly derived.

Mr. George seeks to imbue me with more power than I could possibly have.

I am flattered but in all humility I must protest the false assessment. If he can remember, the government of the day was that of the PDP. I have never had nor sought much influence in those circles. He was charged by the government ruled by his own party for an offence concerning financial irregularities at the Nigeria Port Authority, NPA, an appointment he received from that same government. It is an incredible tale indeed to state that somehow I could direct a party that tried to dismantle the progressive political structure of my party to bring down one of its key members.

The more plausible explanation for his legal tribulation was that a member of his own cabal blew the whistle on Mr. George’s antics for reasons that only he and that person truly know. The rest is now history.

I believe he was convicted of “ Invoice Splitting” a violation of financial regulations. This malpractice is a deliberate circumvention of the law so that the culprit may approval expenditures above his mandated authority to do so and without proper oversight.

In the end, it was Mr. George’s own hand and actions that led to his incarceration more than anything I could ever have done.

Mr. George claims the alleged apology was made at the burial of Chief Alao Arisekola. On that date, personalities such as Oba Otudeko and Governor Ajimobi approached me because I did not greet Mr. George initially. They pleaded that, in the memory of the man we were all gathered to honor, I should greet Mr. George. At their request, I turned back and came to greet him by saying “Good Afternoon Egbon”. That was all.

If Mr. George wishes to interpret that as an apology, he has the right to do so. I also have the right to state categorically that no apology was made or even intended.

I think he is trying to find a way to walk back from his election hyperbole that he would go on exile if the APC won the Lagos State governership election. He realizes that Lagos under the APC is a very good place to live afterall. If he wants to remain in Lagos, he does not have to manufacture an excuse or explain away his bad words. Neither the APC nor I have any aims against him. In the election, the people rejected his party and his brand of politics. That is enough for us. We move on to greater progress. We have no time or inclination to trouble ourselves by troubling Bode George. Any trouble he is experiencing is a product of his own mind.

– Bola Tinubu

With Buhari’s Victory, I Would Surely Go On Exile – Bode George

Posted on April 1, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Bode George says he may be going on exile following the victory of the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Maj-Gen Muhammudu Buhari (retd).

George had said in an interview that he would proceed on exile if the APC wins at the federal level.

Speaking with Vanguard, on the PDP’s defeat at the polls, the PDP chieftain said “What will I be doing here? I can decide to go and live anywhere. Look at everyone surrounding him (Buhari).

”So, I am not joking about it, what will I be doing here? At 70, what will I be doing here? All we have been doing to restructure the country has been lost. We have been trying to ensure balance in the polity but all that has gone. What else will I be doing here?”

You’ll Never be Like Awolowo no Matter How Hard You Try, Bode George Tells Tinubu

Posted on March 10, 2015 by Staff Reporter

Chief Bode George, a leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, has said that a former Governor of Lagos, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, will never be like the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, no matter how hard he tries to.

Tinubu is a national leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and is said to be largely responsible for the successful merger of the party due to his influence across the South-West. However, George, while addressing newsmen during a meeting with beneficiaries of a scheme by the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, said Awolowo, during his time, ensured free education across the Western region when he was the premier.

Read More: today.ng

I’ll Run To Exile If APC Wins, Politician Confesses

Posted on February 17, 2015 by Staff Reporter

In an interview with PUNCH, national leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Bode George reveals that he will run to exile if Bola Tinubu finds his way into national government.

Excerpts…

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says President Goodluck Jonathan plans to perpetuate himself in government like the former President of Cote d’Ivoire, Laurent Gbagbo. What do you think of this comment?

He (Obasanjo) says he is a Christian and as a Christian, it is emphasised in the New Testament of the Bible where Christ said judge not so that you will not be judged. But his judgment is no longer about the policies of Jonathan. He has gone down to the extent of saying Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) will jail you (Jonathan), that is why you are afraid. I am holding my breath because in an African setting, you talk to elders with respect and that is why I am trying to get the right words to describe my feelings. Baba (Obasanjo) is not a young man. He was Head of State at 39. So averagely, he should be about 84 or 85 and I am requesting that he should graciously fade away into the midnight. In the Bible, Romans chapter 13 states clearly that we should pray for those in authority. It says pray for your leaders so that they don’t run aground. So, to me that is my own interpretation. If baba (Obasanjo) had attended the Council of State meeting in Abuja, where they were very well briefed, and that it was decided that only the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, that could pronounce a postponement and that he should go and come up with a decision and Jega addressed a press conference. Now to start comparing our President with Gbagbo in Cote d’Ivoire is unjust, unsavoury and unfair because what is the population of Ivory Coast? What are the tribal sentiments of Ivory Coast? Are they the same here? I want to plead with Baba. God has been kind to him and he has served his own time. I don’t want to conclude that his life will be like King Saul in the Bible. I pray it will not be so. Baba has played his role. No generation can finish any job. Nation building is a continuous exercise. You come, do your own and go back into history.

Apart from the issue of insecurity which Jega gave as the reason for the postponement of the elections, do you think INEC was ready to conduct the elections on February 14 and 28?

I granted an interview recently and there were two posers that I gave to Jega. Thank God Jega is a professor. He told us that there was an 88 per cent collection rate in Borno State where there is massive insurgency as well as in Yobe and Adamawa states. Here, where there is calmness and civility, only 30 something per cent of the populace had collected PVCs. It is just improving. I think as of last Friday over three million had collected as against 5.6 million. And he is saying we are ready. Without the Permanent Voter Cards, you are immediately disenfranchised. Ask Jega that as a professor, will it be fair to conduct an examination whereby you have (students who have) covered 80 per cent syllabus and another class where you have (students who have) covered only 30 per cent syllabus. Is it fair?

The other question is this issue of card readers. Have they been tested? I am talking as an electronic engineer of 48 years in practice. You just bought equipment from China and the last time it was tested was in China. Our own environment is not the same. Look at the vagaries of the temperature here from the swampy areas of the South and the savannah in the North. Who has tested the equipment? Now, I am not saying they will not all work but if there are almost 9,000 polling units in Lagos, is he saying all the 9,000 card readers will be functional? If the card readers fail to work in some polling units, what shall we do?

Read More: PUNCH

Stop Your Verbal Attacks On Me – Bode George Warns Obanikoro

Posted on December 19, 2014 by Staff Reporter

Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Bode George, has called for an end to verbal attacks by Obanikoro.

The statement reads; ‘’One has refrained from engaging Senator Musiliu Obanikoro despite his gross and alarmist provocations. I have deliberately remained distant and quiet, ignoring the stark obscenities of a desperate and obsessed man who is apparently incapable of absorbing the reality of his defeat by a well-bred and better man.

‘’For Obanikoro to claim in sheer ludicrousness that I, even remotely, identify with any intimations of violence is utter lunacy and blind, vindictive madness. Surely, Obanikoro is possessed and obsessed. He needs immediate psychiatric treatment. He is a desperate sinking man, grasping and thrashing in self inflicted chasm.

‘’ What is the pedigree of this young man who has abandoned the typical African deference to Elders? We know who sprung from violence and banditry. We know whose antecedents reek in noisome, vagrant, untidy ruffianism.

‘’ Politics is not a do or die affair. No civilized person with impeccable pedigree will seek a tacky refuge in destruction and ruin simply because he has lost in a free and fair contest. Obanikoro should go quietly into that good night if he means well for Lagos.

‘’ Enough of his desperate tantrums.

– Source – www.vanguardngr.com

Lagos PDP Governorship Primaries Should Be Cancelled – Obanikoro

Posted on December 9, 2014 by Staff Reporter

A governorship aspirant of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Senator Musiliu Obanikoro has called for the cancellation of the Lagos State governorship primaries calling it a sham.

At the governorship primaries which was held at Yard 158, Oregun Road, Lagos, Jimi Agbaje polled 432 votes to defeat Obanikoro who scored 343 votes, while Adedeji Doherty and Babatunde Olalere Gbadamosi polled 21 votes respectively.

Addressing newsmen at his GRA office shortly after the primaries, Obanikoro said “There is no election results and the elections should be cancelled. The process is completely tainted and going forward with that, will lead to an outcome that will not be beneficial to the party.”

Asked to comment on the outcome of the exercise that threw up Mr Jimi Agbaje, he said “my immediate reaction is t’hat the election was a sham. I still cannot comprehend how accredited delegates of 806, will turn out to be 868. To be honest with you, you can tell that it was a predetermined exercise. People like us are not in this democracy for the sake of it, we are in it to ensure that the right things are done so that the country can be on the right path. We intend to fight this, there is an opportunity for an appeal and we will appeal and we hope the party will do the right thing.”

Accusing Chief Bode George of being responsible for the alleged confusion within the Lagos PDP, he said “Bode George has been the problem as far as this party is concerned and there is no doubt in my mind that he supervised this electoral malpractice. How do you expect the panel chairman arriving Lagos at 10 am on Monday and not starting the election until 5pm in the evening. You can judge by some of the pronouncements made by Bode George, Ogunlewe and a host of others. One of the reasons why this party has failed is because it is being led by the likes of Bode George and Ogunlewe.”

The former Minister of State for Defence, who vowed not to rest until justice is served said “We submitted ourselves to a process that we felt will be free and fair but unfortunately, they decided to play religious politics, manipulation of electoral process particularly on Election Day. This to me is unacceptable, we will contest it in every sense of it and until the needed necessary corrections are made, we will not rest.”