Chief Olabode George, former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has called on both the party’s Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagun, and presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to take decisive steps to address the ongoing crisis within the party.
In a recent interview on Arise TV, George expressed concern over the internal divisions threatening the PDP, emphasizing that the party risks undermining its prospects for the 2027 presidential election if the crisis remains unresolved.
The dispute stems from issues surrounding Damagun’s tenure and the battle for the PDP’s presidential ticket in the upcoming election.
George dismissed rumors circulating that the PDP is dead, reassuring stakeholders and supporters that the party still has a future.
He stated that the party will recover and regain its political strength despite the ongoing strife.
“You hear a lot of comments, with some even saying that our party is dead, but that is not true. Our party is not dead. There are ongoing discussions, and yes, we have three major factions now: the Damagun group, the Atiku group, and some other factions,” George said.
As a life member of the PDP’s Board of Trustees (BoT), George stressed the Board’s critical role in resolving internal crises, serving as the custodian of the party’s assets and liabilities and mediating conflicts.
He advocated for unity, emphasizing that the party could still resolve its issues if handled effectively.
“We can disagree without being disagreeable. This situation is not beyond control. If we manage ourselves properly, we can convince the electorate in 2027. And once we come to power, we will be able to handle any future crises,” he explained.
While George made it clear that he was not taking sides with either Damagun or Atiku, he urged all factions to come together to prevent repeating the mistakes that affected the party in previous elections.
“There were reasons why we allowed every zone to contest. People seem to have forgotten the events of the convention floor. We must not let those mistakes happen again. There were valid reasons for those decisions, but now, it feels like those reasons no longer matter, including Damagun’s actions. We need to be honest with ourselves,” he said.
George reiterated that his only concern was ensuring the PDP does not collapse, stressing the importance of preserving the party’s legacy.
“The Founding Fathers worked hard to bring us to where we are today. Let’s look at this issue holistically, so we don’t repeat the errors of the past,” he concluded.
