PDP chairmanship: As race intensify, Daniel, George increase consultation, lobby

For the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), nothing is more important for now than the December 9, National Elective Convention; this is because the outcome of the convention it is believed will go a long way in determining the future of the once ruling party.
This is because fresh from a crisis that almost brought the party to its knees, save for the last minute intervention by way of judgement by the nation’s apex court, the Supreme Court, the party which in the last few years prided itself as the biggest party in Africa by now would surely be singing a new song, as many of its members had concluded plans to defect to other parties, had the judgement gone differently.
That is why the person who becomes the next national chairman of the party is of utmost importance to not just its members but to all Nigerians who are interested in seeing the nation grow politically.
Though many top politicians and members of the party including former Minister of Sports and Special Duties, Professor Taoheed Adedoja, former Minister of Education, Professor Tunde Adeniran, former Chairman of Daar Communications PLC, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, 2015 governorship candidate of the PDP in Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, former National Deputy Chairman, Uche Secondus and former governor of Oyo State, Chief Rasheed Ladoja among others are interested in the seat, the interest of former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Chief Olabode George and former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, seem to be more intense.
The duo also seems to have had more contact with prominent members of the party and other top personalities in the country.
Continuing his lobby for the PDP top job recently while picking his nomination for the top position at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja, George declared that the party cannot afford to experiment with the choice of a national chairman, ahead of 2019, adding that the party cannot have an untested hand to manage its affairs.
He added that the nation needs a vibrant opposition leader and not someone who will take “Valium and go and sleep. We need a courageous and tested hand.”
He however added that he will abide with whatever committed and loyal members of the party agree on with regards to the emergence of a consensus candidate.
While responding to a question on his age and the need to allow younger generation to take over, George said “You know this grey hairs is like a bank account. At the stage in which the party is now can you afford to allow an untested hand to manage it? We just came out of a terrible crisis. This is not the time for experimentation. This is not a time for trials.
“At the end of the convention we are going to have national elections. Are you going to have someone who has never worked for the party? Who don’t know the workings in the party? We have the written and the unwritten constitution.
“The unwritten constitution of the party requires those who have worked, served, tested, known, and who have the experience.
“I liken our party to be like a ship and the Sea, that is in a storm and is taking in water, you know what that means? If you don’t have a tested and experienced captain to handle that ship it will go under.”
While he underscored his wealth of experience in party administration, he said that he has worked as one the national vice chairman (South West) and Deputy National Chairman.
“I am the longest serving elected member of the party. I severed at this Secretariat for 10 years uninterrupted.
He stressed that the party does not enjoy the Presidency anymore, noting therefore that they cannot afford any more mistakes.
“We have no Villa to run to, what we need now is someone who has seen it all, who saw the mistakes we made in the past, who is immediately ready to avoid the pitfalls of the past. We must make sure we avoid the mistakes and pitfalls of the past. He must be courageous enough to face the lion in the den.”
He expressed confidence in the Sen. Ahmed Makarfi leadership of the party, adding however that “Nigerians are looking forward to a vibrant opposition. Nigerians are waiting for credible alternative.”
George pointed out that he has been campaigning all over the country and that people still desire PDP to return.
He added that forthcoming convention will confirm whether the party wins the hearts and minds of electorates.
“They are watching us if we can prove that we can manage ourselves very effectively. Then they will hand over the country for us to manage on their behalf,” George said.
Also speaking in similar vein, when he paid a visit to the Palace of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, in continuation of his national tour to build up support for his ambition, Otunba Daniel said, “I have been going round the country and it is obvious that the people are regretting the decision to vote for change and they are ready to ‘change the change’. That is why I am in this race and my simple message is for all of us to start afresh together.”
Earlier, the Sultan had declared that the former Ogun State governor will succeed in his bid for the apex seat and that the entire Sultanate is praying for him.
The Sultan said, “Gbenga Daniel has been my very good friend since the days he was governor of Ogun. I remember the very good hospitality he affords me anytime I visit Ogun State.
“Gbenga Daniel, we all are praying for you to succeed in this quest and I am personally enjoining you not to forget the people when you get there. You are free to visit me any time,” he said.
While speaking on the state of the nation, the Sultan advocated for a strong opposition urging politicians to be forthright in their dealings at all times.
On his part, Daniel thanked the Sultan for the warm reception and promised to do all within his power to ensure the party becomes victorious in 2019.
After that, the team was hosted by the former governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, who assured Otunba Daniel of his support in his National Chairmanship bid.
Bafarawa who received Otunba Daniel in his Sokoto residence, expressed delight at the interest of Otunba Daniel to lead the PDP back to victory in 2019.
According to Bafarawa, he deliberately decided to wait and receive the entourage in Sokoto when he learnt that Daniel chose to start his campaign in Sokoto.
“Many politicians may say something and do another but I’m not like that. We have discussed about your ambition before you came and I want to assure that I will stand by what I told you.
“The PDP of today is different from the past. There must be a level playing ground where we allow the aspirants to meet the delegates instead of just sitting in Abuja and deciding who to vote for. That will be unfair to the party.
“Now you are working hard and going round the country campaigning, that is a good development. I know you as a colleague and a friend and I know that if you can lead a complex state like Ogun, you can also lead the PDP.
“You can see that someone who left his home state of Ogun to come and talk to delegates in Sokoto is a serious aspirant.
While thanking the former governor for the grand reception and the assurances of his support, Otunba Daniel stated that having consulted with major stakeholders in the party, he is convinced that the electorates are ready for the authentic change.