Politics
What PDP Must Do If North Picks 2023 Ticket – Bode George
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will have to conduct another national convention if the party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 general election emerges from the North, Chief Olabode George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the party, has said.
The party zoned its national chairmanship position to the Northern part of the country at its national convention last month at Eagles Square, Abuja. At the end of the exercise, Iyorchia Ayu, a former Senate President, was elected as the new national chairman.
Though not yet formally announced, the party, led by its governors, has agreed to throw the presidential ticket open in order to allow all intending aspirants from the North and Southern parts of the country to participate in the presidential primary.
It was also gathered that as part of the deal reached before his emergence as national chairman, Ayu agreed to step down from his position if the presidential candidate emerges from the North, as the presidential candidate and national chairman cannot come from the same zone.
The earlier belief was that if Ayu steps down, the Deputy National Chairman (South) will assume office as the party’s helmsman.
Many believe it was why the position was hotly contested for between Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former Osun State governor and Taofeek Arapaja, former deputy governor of Oyo State, who eventually won the election.
However, speaking exclusively with Daily Independent, George, who kicked against throwing the presidential ticket open, said the South should produce the party’s flagbearer since the North already has national chairman.
He said the party will have to conduct another convention to rezone all the positions if a Northerner wins the presidential ticket.
He said, “Once the presidential candidate emerges from the North, we will have to go back to another convention to rezone all those positions. The positions that were in the South before the convention are now all in the North and all the positions in the North are now in the South. The chairmanship and the presidency cannot come from the same zone. We will have to do another convention where all those positions that are already in the North will come down to the South and vice versa”.
When reminded that Ayu already signed an undertaking to step down if the presidential candidate emerges from the North, George said, “If he steps down, then we go to convention and elect a new chairman. Ayu is a thoroughbred member of the party. He knows the culture, norms and procedure in the party. He is well groomed and has a robust character. He will be truthful and honest. That is why he said if the presidential candidate comes from the North, he will have to resign.
“We don’t handpick national chairmen. They are elected at convention. So, if the presidential candidate emerges from the North, vice president will come from the South, Senate President will come from the North, Speaker will come from the South, SGF will come from the North and the national chairman will come from the South. These are serious positions and must be contested for and elected through a national convention”.
On the belief by some that the deputy national chairman (South) automatically takes over as national chairman if Ayu steps down, George said only a convention can produce a national chairman as anyone who takes over without being properly elected at a convention will not be recognised and all his actions will be deemed illegal.
“For those saying the second in command to Ayu takes over if he resigns, that is a load of trash. You just can’t emerge because it will affect us legally. You have to be elected by a convention, not through wuru wuru or fraudulent means. That can never happen. Anybody appointed or elected without a national convention is a 419. He has no status whatsoever. If he signs any letter and sends to INEC, they will reject and say they don’t recognise him and that is dangerous.
“So, if anybody is thinking in that line, they don’t understand the workings of the party. We will go back to the national convention and these people will emerge through that process. Otherwise, asking another person to take over without being elected is completely illegal”.
Also speaking on claims that the governors have totally taken over full control of the party, George admitted that there was a leadership vacuum in the party since there was no presidential candidate yet and the governors had to step in in order to stabilise the party.
“It is true. It looks like the governors have a role to play and I plead that they themselves must be fair, just and equitable. He who comes to equity must come with clean hands. There can’t be a vacuum at the leadership. The leadership usually should be whoever had won the presidential ticket and until another fellow comes out, he remains the leader of the party. There was a vacuum, the presidential candidate was not available and the governors took over the management.
“Yes, there is the PDP Governors’ Forum but the way it is going, we need to be fair, honest and be genuine to ourselves. That is the only thing that can save our party now”.
When contacted, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party’s Publicity Secretary, said there are many issues on the table concerning the issue of zoning of the presidential ticket but added that “no concrete decision has been taken yet”.
Also speaking, Diran Odeyemi, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary, said the PDP will look at the legal implications of the circumstances and do what conforms with the constitution of the Federal Republic.
“The party will look into legal implications of the circumstances, ensure whatever we do conforms to Nigeria’s constitution and electoral laws. Above all we shall know how to cross the bridge when we get there”.
Prominent activist and African Democratic Congress (ADC) member Aisha Yesufu has issued a public apology to governance advocate Yemi Adamolekun following a controversy over her inclusion in the party’s Wise Men and Women Policy and Manifesto Committee.
The issue emerged on Wednesday after Adamolekun, former executive director of Enough is Enough Nigeria, expressed surprise on social media at seeing her name listed among members of the ADC committee.
Tagging Yesufu and ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi, Adamolekun questioned the party’s process in a blunt post on X.
“ADC! ADC! ADC! How many times did I call you? This is not how to build credibility o! Please show me evidence of when I joined your party! Na wa….” she wrote.
Responding the same day, Abdullahi said the committee was designed to be expert-driven rather than strictly partisan.
“It is important to point out that not everyone on the ADC Policy and Manifesto Committee is a member of the ADC. Many are not even politicians,” he said.
He added, “This is because the ADC believes that the task of developing workable public policies for the benefit of all Nigerians should not be left to politicians alone.”
Abdullahi maintained that the party had followed due process.
He said the ADC had undergone a “vetting process” and “took all necessary measures to ensure that everyone recommended to serve on this important committee was duly notified and had given their consent.”
Despite the disagreement, he expressed hope that Adamolekun would still participate, citing her “vast experience – even though she is not a member of our party.”
However, reacting on Friday, Yesufu, a member of the party’s Revalidation, Mobilisation and Registration Committee, acknowledged the error and apologised publicly.
She wrote, “This is inexcusable, and on behalf of my party, accept my apologies for this mix-up. We do not take you and your need to have a better Nigeria for granted.”
Yesufu admitted the process was flawed.
“Like you rightly pointed out, you ought to have been informed and your consent gotten before your name is published.
“This is well noted, and going forward we will continue to ensure due diligence,” she said.
She added, “Thank you for calling our attention to this. We can only get better when we get such feedback and improve accordingly.
“The work to rebuilding Nigeria is enormous, and in our eagerness to start off, we must never forget due process and diligence.”
Yesufu also extended an apology to others affected by the publication.
“For anyone that was also not contacted and consent gotten before publication, kindly accept my apologies for the mix-up,” she said.
Abba Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has attributed his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid to what he described as the administration’s innovative and business-friendly economic policies.
He said President Tinubu’s economic initiatives are more favourable to businesses than those of previous administrations, adding that the reforms have reshaped his political alignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Abba made the remarks during a solidarity visit to the leadership of the City Boy Movement (CBM) in Abuja on Monday evening, where he led members of the Haske Atiku Organisation, now rebranded as the Haske Tinubu Organisation.
He recalled that he formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on January 15, collecting his membership card at Gwadabwa Ward in Yola North Local Government Area of Adamawa State, where he publicly pledged support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
According to him, his decision to back the president was driven by admiration for the economic policies introduced since 2023, which he believes are positioning the country for stronger private-sector growth and investment.
According to him, “This administration has introduced policies that have every Nigerian in mind. If anyone says this government is not doing well, I will tell them they are lying,” he said. “I believe that if given another term, the government will do even more because it is focused.”
He explained that his long-standing experience in business has given him a clear perspective on economic governance in Nigeria.
“Since the return of democratic rule in 1999, I have been in business, and I am still in business today. The economic policies of Mr. President are favourable—not just to businesses, but to Nigerians in general, who are already benefiting from these reforms,” he stated.
He also explained that his decision to join the APC and align with the City Boy Movement was motivated by his passion for the Tinubu-led administration and his desire to serve.
“My joining the APC and the City Boy Movement is based on my belief in this administration. I also intend to use this platform to serve the people of Adamawa at the National Assembly level. Mr. President has made youth inclusion in politics a reality,” Abubakar added.
The Director General of the City Boy Movement, Mr. Oluwatosin Shoga reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to youth participation in governance and leadership.
He noted that one of CBM’s core strategic mandates is to ensure that young Nigerians are deliberately positioned for leadership roles while encouraging greater youth involvement in the political process.
Abba’s delegation was received by the Director General of CBM, Mr. Shoga, and the National Coordinator, Mr. Favour Abayomi.
Popular Ibadan-based broadcaster and founder of Agidigbo 88.7 FM, Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat has officially declared his intention to run for the 2027 Oyo State governorship under the Accord Party.
In a public declaration, Hamzat stated, “I am publicly declaring today that in 2027.
“I will not campaign for anyone or mobilise crowds for anyone.
“I will contest in the gubernatorial election under the Accord Party.”
The announcement signals Hamzat’s full commitment to his own political ambitions, stepping away from backing other candidates as he positions himself for the Oyo State governorship race.
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