Elders and leaders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, including Chief Olabode George, on Wednesday held a   reconciliation meeting to strengthen unity in the state  party chapter  ahead of 2027 general elections.

At the Leaders and Elders Stakeholders’ Meeting organised in Lagos, the party chieftains emphasised the need for forgiveness and unity within PDP to brighten the fortune of the party in the next general elections.

Speaking, George, a former PDP Deputy National Chairman and member of the party’s Board of Trustees , said the meeting was discuss the future of the party and the present socio-economic challenges in the country.

“Nigerians have seen the difference between the PDP and APC and obviously, Nigerians are yearning for a return of PDP to set the country on the path of recovery.

“So, the honest question we should be asking ourselves today is ,Where did we get it wrong?”

“My appeal today is to all members, young and old, from the north to the South, that we have another golden opportunity, before the next election in 2027, to bury our differences and put on our thinking caps.

“We should do everything humanly possible to ensure that the PDP does not go into the dustbin of history in 2027. God forbid this should happen to our party.

“So, this is the time for all elders and members of PDP to be concerned about the future of our great party. We should not allow the collective unity of this party to be fragmented,” George  said.

The  former Military Administrator of Ondo State,  said unity within the party chapter and cooperation of members were key to  future electoral victories in the state.

According to him, how the party collectively addresses the issues at stake will determine its  fate  in months and years to come.

George added: “It is our determination to ensure that the PDP returns to the Presidential Villa in Abuja and take over governance in Lagos State on May 29, 2027 but, we can only do this if we are united, not divided.

“We are where we are today because of self-inflicted crisis and now is the time reconciliation should be on top of our agenda.

“We should bury our Individual ambition now and not allow the PDP to crumble. We have no choice than to put our house in order.

“We are brothers and sisters, so we should put on our thinking caps to achieve a collective goal.”

He said that Nigerians were waiting for PDP in 2027, “but we must put our house in order. This is the time to promote justice, fairness and equity in our party.”

The PDP leader recommended that  zonal committees  should go round the states and zones in the next six months to calm frayed nerves and encourage genuine reconciliation:

While saying  PDP was the only party that could save the state, George urged members not to allow any sentiment-ethnic or religious- to divide the party

“Unless we are united, with equity, fairness and justice being the pedestal for any political decision taken, this party will be heading to disaster in 2027.

“If we want to win the 2027 gubernatorial election, in Lagos,then we  must have a very strong, iron-clad and formidable PDP now  and we .should not allow ourselves to be divided.

“We must change the narrative now so that we don’t embark on a suicide mission, a self-destructive journey for our party in 2027. Lagos residents are waiting for us in 2027 to kick APC out of Alausa.”

While commending the convener of the meeting, Prince Tommy Ogungbe, George lauded  PDP’s founding fathers such as Chief Solomon Lar, Dr Alex Ekwueme, Chief Bola Ige, Alhaji Adamu Ciroma, Chief Sunday Awoniyi, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, for birthing the party and putting it on a strong foundation.

Speaking , Mr Philip Aivoji, the Lagos State PDP Chairman and Chief Host,  commended party leaders and elders,and  said that the meeting would chart a road map for a stronger and more cohesive PDP in the state

Urging all leaders to set aside their differences and work for the good of the party, Aivoji said that internal wranglings  had plagued the party enough and had hindered its progress.

In his welcome address, Ogungbe commended the party leaders and elders for attending the  reconciliation meeting, saying their presence meant they were committed to the future of the party.

He noted that the performance of the party  in 2023  was the worst in history and stressed the need to resolve all the issues ahead of 2027.

Ogungbe said: “We have never had it so bad since inception. There was a total breakdown of responsibilities and lack of unity among all tiers of our administrative structures were at disarray.

“This is among the major reason why this stakeholders’ meeting is so necessary for leaders of the party in the state to come together and draw a road map for a bigger and stronger party that will be ready to wrestle people from the ruling party.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PDP elders in attendance included Dr Abimbola Ogunkelu, a BOT member and Alhaji Mohammed Ashorobi, the first elected Lagos PDP Chairman .

Other party chieftains in the state and the  local government areas  also attended the meeting

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged Nigerian workers and all citizens not to give up but remain  commited  toward a stable, united and prosperous nation, especially at this challenging time.

The party made the call  in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Debo Ologunagba in Abuja on Wednesday while congratulating Nigerian workers on the International Workers’ Day.

Ologunagba saluted Nigerian workers for remaining steadfast as real drivers of the national economy in spite the economy hardship, insecurity and other challenges facing the country.

He urged them to use their resilient spirit to resist all anti-people tendencies that seek to compromise and undermine the democratic tenets of freedom, rule of law, accountability and probity in the country.

“The PDP particularly condemns the continuing increase in electricity tariff and price of petroleum products with petrol now selling at over N1,000 per liter in some  parts of the country,” he said.

Ologunagba called on the Federal Government to review its economic policies, and take urgent action toward addressing issues that have direct bearing on  the welfare of the citizens.

The Peoples Democratic Party, on Tuesday, presented a Certificate of Return to its Ondo State governorship candidate, former Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi.

Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission has set November 16, 2024, as the scheduled date for the Ondo State Governorship election.

The former Deputy Governor won the primary conducted by PDP on Thursday last week.

In his welcome remarks, the Acting National Chairman of the party, Ambassador Umar Damagum, while presenting the Certificate of Return, noted that dissenting voices marked the APC primary.

Damagum said, “At a time our opponents could not put their acts together, but we in the opposition much was expected of us and we shamed them, we produced a candidate without a dissenting voice. It’s because of what we have put in place that has made this possible.”

Describing the steps taken by the PDP to ensure a smooth primary process, Damagum stated, “During our stakeholders meeting, we agreed that all the aspirants must come from the South, and by the grace of God, that is what happened. This shows the party’s preparedness to take over Ondo State.

“Even from the last election we know that Ondo is PDP and from the stakeholders meeting and other engagements, we were able to come out with a single candidate.”

He advised Ajayi not to assume that all of his fellow aspirants have conceded to him.

Damagum stressed the significance of extending efforts to secure their support and ensure victory for the PDP in the state.

The PDP National Chairman highlighted the challenge of winning the state for the PDP and encouraged Ajayi to commence vigorous campaigning, including door-to-door outreach.

He continued, “You must work hard to make sure PDP takes Ondo State, but we will have our stakeholders meeting in the South West on Monday and work for the party.

“Unlike the other parties, we have an internal working mechanism and when we talk to ourselves we are not garrison commanders, but we engage and that is why till today PDP remains a brand. It is the only party that you will come as nobody and becomes somebody.”

In his acceptance speech, the PDP gubernatorial candidate Ajayi pledged wholehearted commitment to securing victory in the forthcoming election slated for November 16.

Ajayi highlighted that the upcoming gubernatorial election offers the PDP a distinct chance to foster genuine and enduring development for the people of Ondo, as well as for the party.

He said: “It is truly humbling, and I accept this responsibility and promise to carry out work towards winning the upcoming election with utmost dedication as we all embark on a new journey in service to our beloved Ondo State and our party, the PDP.

“This election is a defining moment for us;  It is about all of us coming together to chart a new course for Ondo State.

“It is about embracing our collective vision and aspirations for a better, more prosperous future; it, therefore, cannot be about me alone.

“The forthcoming November 16th governorship election presents us a unique opportunity to bring about real and sustainable development for the people of Ondo, and the PDP, as the largest political party in Africa, is positioned to lead this transformational change.

“The challenges we face, from poverty to unemployment, insecurity and economic hardship, require urgent and decisive action. We cannot afford to dwell on past mistakes or divisive rhetoric.

“Instead, we must focus on uniting to provide solutions that prioritize the well-being of our people and communities.

“Our vision for Ondo State is one of growth, opportunity, and equity. We envision a state where every child has access to quality education, where healthcare is affordable and accessible, and where infrastructure supports economic growth and connectivity.”