A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olabode George, has warned former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, against attacking Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.
It was gathered that Lamido has constantly attacked the Rivers State Governor over his rift with former vice president Atiku Abubakar.
Speaking on Channels Television on Tuesday, Lamido said: “We should forget about Wike.
“Wike is an individual. I don’t think because he is a governor there, he has control and monopoly over the peoples of Rivers.”
Reacting, George asked Lamido and other party elders to learn from the pacifist nature of founding fathers of the party.
Bode George, who cited the roles played by some founding fathers of the PDP, such as Chief Solomon Lar, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Chief Bola Ige (who wrote the constitution of the party), Alhaji Adamu Ciroma, Chief Sunday Awoniyi, and others, said: “All these elders, who are late today, were never fixated on their needs or selfish interests. They were patriotic. It is because of their patriotism and sacrifice that PDP remains a very strong brand today.
“So, I call on party leaders, elders, and members to please look at the overall interest of PDP. The fact that someone has, knowingly or unknowingly, done something unjust or dishonest is no justification for personal attack or acting in a similar way.”
He stated that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has completely messed up the country, and Nigerians are waiting for PDP in 2023.
According to the elder statesman, PDP members should not be seen as enemies of the party and the country, adding that party members should not exacerbate the crisis by embarking on personal attacks.
The former Deputy National Chairman warned that some party enemies would turn the crisis into a North versus South issue.
George said: “If anybody is aggrieved, we need to pacify him. If Governor Wike feels shortchanged due to the outcome of the primary where Alhaji Atiku Abubakar emerged as our presidential flagbearer, then, we need to beg him. We need his vote and votes of Rivers people.
“Whether we like it or not, Governor Wike is an asset in this party. We should not do or say anything that will alienate him from the fold. Political opponents are already strategising on how to snatch him from our party but I can assure Nigerians that Governor Wike is not leaving PDP.”
He noted that what is important now is how to resolve the National Chairmanship issue before the election, stressing that it was an important matter that cannot be brushed aside.
George added, “But, this is the time for all of us to cease fireworks. We must not enter the election divided. We must do everything to ensure that we win the election, and there is no way we can win if we are not united.
“I am one of the custodians of the party. As a life member of the Board of Trustees (BOT), which is the Upper Chamber and conscience of the party, it is our inalienable right to ensure that all wrongs are settled. We also have the maturity, experience, and exposure to knock everybody back in line.
“I am sounding it, loud and clear, that what is going on now should get us worried. What we need is inclusiveness. We should not exclude anybody.
“We should also avoid a repeat of the pitfall of the past. As presidential campaign starts next month (September), what we need to do now is to imbibe the spirit of give and take, in the interest of all.”
