The crisis brewing in the Lagos chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, may take a dangerous turn if urgent steps are not taken by the party leadership to wade into the matter.

It is no news that a new comer into the party, Jimi Agbaje was announced winner of the governorship primary of the party held last Monday in Oregun, Lagos.

A governorship aspirant of the PDP, who is also the immediate minister of state for defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro had rejected the outcome of the keenly contested primary, claiming that chieftains of the party, Bode George and Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe worked against him at the primary, which was marred by violence.

Shortly after the primary, Obanikoro granted interview to TVC, a television station believed to be run by the National Leader of the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, where he claimed he was robbed of victory by Bode George and Ogunlewe.

Obanikoro alleged in the interview that Bode George sent some thugs to the primary to harm his (Obanikoro) supporters.

The former minister said that he would not accept the outcome of the election because he was cheated, and called for a rerun.

He questioned how the number of votes exceeded the number of accredited number of delegates for the primary.

Obanikoro, who was the flagbearer of the PDP in the governorship election of 2007 in Lagos State, said that 806 delegates were accredited for the election, but that the number of votes cast was 863. He called for an investigation into the matter and cancellation of the primary.

“The entire primary was a sham. I still cannot comprehend how accredited delegates of 806 would turn out to be 863. To be honest with you, with the benefit of hindsight, you can tell that the outcome was predetermined,” Obanikoro said in the interview.

“The path of fraudulent election success is condemnable and we intend to fight this. There is an opportunity to appeal and I hope the party will do the right thing. Bode George has been the major problem as far as this party is concerned and there is no doubt in my mind that he supervised this electoral malpractice,” he added.

Furthermore, the former Senator asked, “How do you explain the panel chairman arriving in Lagos by 10am and not starting the election until about 5pm?”

“There are so many things that you can look at, like the pronouncement made by Bode George, Ogunlewe and others. One of the reasons why this party has failed in Lagos is because it is being led by the likes of Bode George and Ogunlewe,” he pointed out.

“In 2006 during the primary, Bode George manipulated the same way to produce the widow of the slain politician, Funsho Williams, Hilda as winner until common sense prevailed. We submitted ourselves to a process that we thought would be free and fair, but unfortunately, they decided to play religious politics and manipulation of electoral process particularly on the election day.

bode-george

“Bode George brought thugs to come and harass and intimidate delegates at the primary. I was not even at the primary, when violence started, but it was Bode George’s people. One of them even stabbed a nephew of mine during the selection of delegates. This is known to the police. One of them was arrested at the Mainland. He shot at people. They perpetrate violence and then run to him for cover,” he said.

Some tale-bearers however informed Aproko247 last week that Obanikoro is poised for a showdown with Bode George.

They said that the former chairman of Lagos Island Local Government wants to wrestle power of the party’s structure from Bode George and Ogunlewe once and for all.

According to our source, Obanikoro believes that the excesses of Bode George and Ogunlewe and their grip on the party in Lagos are too much.

Read more here: http://www.aproko247.com/2014/12/17/obanikoro-vs-bode-george-ex-minister-takes-case-to-jonathan-may-dump-pdp/

Na peedeeepeee affair abeg

You are part of the problem Sir!