PDP convention: I have confidence in Makarfi’s committee, says George …rounds off chairmanship campaign with Lagos endorsement

Ahead of Saturday’s national convention of the People Democratic Party (PDP), a former deputy national chairman of the party, Chief Olabode George has said that he was confident in the Sen. Ahmed Makarfi led caretaker committee’s ability to conduct a credible chairmanship election, adding that all the aspirants have been assured that the process would be free and fair.
George who was speaking to newsmen at the Lagos State PDP Secretariat, along Adekunle Fajuyi way, Ikeja, at a programme to round off his chairmanship campaign, put together by the Lagos State chapter of the party, noted that having served the party at various level he has deep knowledge of the party to lead it to greater height.
He reaffirmed his call for the micro zoning of the chairmanship position to the South West, adding that micro zoning arrangement within the party was not new, stressing that it was a decision taken by the founding fathers, to give all sections of the country opportunity and stake in the party.
He said “We had a meeting on Thursday and we discuss this issues we have been assured that the election would be free and fair, we have to be hopeful. I have great respect for the caretaker committee, they are supposed to be 18, but they are 6 members, it is a difficult task.
“What I said was a policy statement, it does not mean hatred, micro zoning is part of the party, I have been part of the party since the beginning, when you say there is no zoning in some parts and it is in some areas it means you are trying to set some people against others. I disagree with him and I stand my ground.
“Micro zoning is welcome and it is accepted and even the Northern elders have said there must be micro zoning to the South West,” George added.
He said his last comment about the credibility of the chairmanship election was a policy statement which was being resolved by recent meetings of the party leadership with the chairmanship candidates.
On the defection of Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to the PDP, he said the PDP was always a home to Atiku, stressing that disagreement was normal in every political party which could be collectively resolved.
“You know during my speech I said, those that are founding fathers that have left and are back they are welcome back to the party. If you build a house and it is licking would you abandon the house for somewhere else or you would repair it?”
Also speaking at the event, a chieftain of the party in the state, Mrs Aduke Maina, said Bode George’s wide acceptance all round the country during the campaign shows he was the most qualified candidate in the chairmanship race which is widely accepted having served the party at different levels.
Also speaking, Lagos State PDP chairman, Moshood Salvador expressed confidence in the ability of Gorge to lead the PDP to the next level and called for support among delegates across the country towards his emergency on Saturday.
The event was attended by several chieftains of the party in the state and beyond, which include some national officers of the party, former Lagos PDP chairman, Captain Tunji Shelle, South West leader, Joju Fadairo, former deputy governor of Lagos State, Kofo Akerele-Burknor, among others.