.says party not bothered that its govs, lawmakers are being 'threatened' to defect to APC
By Our Reporter
Former Deputy National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has declared that the main opposition party is undergoing a rebirth and poised to reclaim power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 General Elections and take the country "to its rightful place in the Comity of Nations."
George made this remark while speaking on Friday at the inauguration of the Dr Kabiru Turaki–led PDP’s newly elected State, Local Government Area and Ward Executive Committees in Lagos, which took place in Ikeja, Lagos, saying that the party had entered a new phase following its national convention in Ibadan in November 2025, which he described as a restoration of internal democracy and public confidence in the party founded in 1998.
This was just as Chief George pointedly declared that the party was resolved never to allow anti-democracy elements in APC to destroy it, saying that PDP, which he described as the only true national party is not bothered that governors and lawmakers on the party platform are "being forced and threatened to defect"' to APC.
"PDP is coming back to take over its place as the ruling party in the country.
I want to assure Nigerians that come 2027, PDP will take Nigeria to its rightful place in the Comity of Nations.
"I want to confidently tell you that what we have in our party today, since our Ibadan national convention in November 2025, is a rebirth, a new hope, a new beginning, a restoration of the confidence Nigerians had in PDP when it was founded by our fathers in 1998.
"Some of us did the leg works when the foundation was laid about 28 years ago.
That is why we have resolved that we will never, I repeat, never allow anti-democracy elements in APC today, to destroy our party.
"Our Governors and Lawmakers are being forced and threatened to defect but we are not bothered because PDP is the only true national party in the country today. APC is just a coalition of strange bed fellows," he said.
"At least, you can see how our congresses - ward, council, state - and convention were conducted.
Can you say the same of APC? Their current National Chairman and other NWC members were imposed. Last year, the former national chairman was just told to leave the office within two hours. Is that democracy?" he queried.
George, while noting that APC is now threatened with the way PDP conducted its convention in Ibadan, alleged that the ruling party is now using the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to truncate that process, but quickly added that Nigerians were aware of its anti-people policies "undemocratic game plan" and, therefore, "waiting to re-elect PDP in 2027."
"Because APC is threatened with the way we conducted our convention in Ibadan, they are now using INEC to truncate that process. But, Nigerians know their undemocratic game plan. That is why voters who have suffered from APC's bad policies are waiting to re-elect PDP in 2027.
"Since 2015 when APC started ruling this country, Nigerians have seen the difference. This is a party that has no fear of God
"PDP stands for what is just, fair and equitable. And that is what the Kabiru Turaki-led NWC has vowed to do in the build up to the next general elections in 2027," George said.
"Due to the anti-people policies of APC, Nigerians are really angry and hungry. APC is now pushing them to the wall by plotting to rig the 2027 elections. I can assure the ruling party that Nigerians will resist their rigging plot," he added.
George, however, warned INEC that it cannot choose our leaders for PDP, saying that what the electoral Umpire was doing is shameful and should be careful in the alleged rigging plot as he quickly recalled the sad episode which happened in 1966 "which eventually led to the civil war between 1967 and 1970 when over two million Nigerians died."
"PDP is better organised than APC. That is why we are inaugurating the Lagos State Exco of our party, led by Dr. Fawole, today. They are people of integrity and we are going to support them.
"I appeal to our members not to panic. The challenge PDP is facing today is temporary. Remember the video that went viral when Nyesom Wike was still the Governor of Rivers State. He said if there was headache in PDP, there was cancer in APC. He also said if he betrayed PDP, he would never have peace of mind. We all know what is happening today.
"So, PDP members should not panic at all. Nigerians are waiting for us in 2027. Remain in the party and work for its progress.
"From the North to South, East to West, PDP remains a strong political platform, offering great opportunities for members and Nigerians.
"It is only in PDP that the interest of Nigerians can be better served.
There is no coalition in today’s Nigeria that can be stronger than PDP.
Ours is a reborn political party that has weathered every storm and can never go under. Those defecting must return to this Iroko political party.
"PDP is coming back to take over its place as the ruling party in the country.
I want to assure Nigerians that come 2027, PDP will take Nigeria to its rightful place in the Comity of Nations," he stated.
Earlier in their speeches, former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele and a member of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the PDP, Chief (Mrs) Aduke Maina, urged members never to consider the option of leaving the party no matter the challenges facing it.
They assured them that the future of the party is brighter and those that dumped it shall regret their action soon.
Maina said what made the situation worse is that those who had benefited from the party were now running it down.
"We shall and we will not leave the PDP, don't be shaken or discouraged by what's happening, just trust and stand on what you believe in. Let's have hope, it will be better," she assured.
Speaking, the newly Inaugurated Lagos PDP Chairman, Dr. Amos Fawole, expressed his strong commitment to the ideals of the party, noting that the inauguration was not merely a ceremonial transition, but also a solemn covenant, a collective agreement to reposition the party, reawaken hope among the people, rescue the state through purposeful, people -centred politics.
Fawole said the event marked a significant step in the party's "shared resolve to free Lagos from political stagnation, to challenge governance that has fallen short of the people's expectations, to present a credible, progressive alternative built on competence, inclusion, transparency and service."
The PDP chieftain, while paying tributes to the immediate past Exco for their sacrifices, resilience and dedication in keeping the party structure alive through difficult seasons, pointed out to his new team that "this moment is both an honour and a burden."
"The people of Lagos are watching. Party faithful are expectant. The youths are impatient for opportunity. Women demand inclusion. Professionals seek policy clarity. Our task, therefore, is clear: rebuild trust, strengthen structures from the ward to the state level, and unite all tendencies under a common vision.
"Let me emphasise that rescuing Lagos is not about slogans, it is about organization, discipline, and consistency. It requires sacrifice from leaders and loyalty from members. It requires courage to speak truth and wisdom to build consensus," he stated.
"To the leaders across the South-West and at the national level, we assure you that Lagos will be stable, strategic, and forward looking. We will work collaboratively to strengthen the party's regional and national influence.
"To the media and civil society, we welcome scrutiny. Democracy thrived on accountability.
"To our members and supporters, I say this: the journey ahead will demand patience, unity, and resilience. But with collective effort, Lagos is winnable. Hope is realistic. Change is possible.
"This Inauguration is, therefore, not an end. It is a begining. A begining of renewed energy. A begining of disciplined politics. A begining of a Lagos where governance serves the people, not structures of privilege.
"Together, we will organise. Together, we will mobilize. Together, we will win," he added.
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