Olabode George, a former deputy national chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, has outlined the factors that led him to congratulate Bola Tinubu on becoming president.
According to report, senior Lagos State residents organized the peace meeting where George, a longtime political foe of Tinubu’s, spoke in an effort to mediate a settlement.
As he takes office on May 29, the elders pleaded for his cooperation and support with the outgoing governor of Lagos State.
Remember that George had repeatedly criticized the President-elect and had even threatened to leave the country if Tinubu were to win the election and take office.
George said, “They made a request, which we are all looking at,” during the meeting. They asked if we could one day also congratulate Asiwaju, and we agreed, but we added that I am a member of a political party. They are all currently in court.
“Let’s wrap up the legal matters. The decision of whether to congratulate him or not will be made regardless of how that turns out.
“I have nothing personal to say, and the Almighty God is the cause of all things. That is my school of thought as a believer.
“Let me say that there are no political differences between Tinubu and I,” he insisted. In Lagos, we revere our fathers, and Justice Olorunnimbe is similar to a father.
“When I first received an invitation from Papa Olusi to visit me, I told the friend who brought the news that I should go see him rather than the other way around. Papa Olusi, however, insisted that he visit and that the matter related to the circumstances in Lagos.
“Papa Olusi is here for a second visit. We had lengthy discussions that disturbed Lagos’ sense of unity. I must say that we have re-established the fact that other tribes are accepted and accommodated in Lagos culture.
I have explained to Baba Olusi that there is no issue with working together after the PDP chieftain stated that a divided house will be a defeated house in response to our collaboration with Tinubu.
Without regard to party affiliations, “the kind of platform we are trying to have is for a unity of purpose in Lagos State.
“Despite the fact that we may have different political affiliations, you are a Lagosian in the end.
He clarified that he and Tinubu had never fought, saying, “There is no personal animosity between us.”
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“Whatever occurred is no longer an issue; the Almighty God, not I, will exact revenge. We will disagree, we will have differences, but we must not be argumentative.
He insisted that “this union and the conversation we had is a positive step towards a new Lagos.”
The meeting, which went on until Saturday, was attended by Prince Tajudeen Olusi, the head of the party in Lagos State, the Senior Special Assistant to the President for the Sustainable Development Goals, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, and Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele and Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, both of whom served as deputy governors of Lagos State.
Other attendees include Chief Remi Akitoye, a former acting PDP secretary; Major General Tajudeen Olarenwaju, a former minister of communications; Chief Gbadebo Dallas; and Mrs. Onikepo Oshodi.
