2019: PDP In Frantic Move For Rebranding, Considers Name Change; As Prof. Jerry Gana, Agbaje Hold Secret Meeting With Ladoja In Ibadan

Ahead of the 2019 general elections, the Chairman of the 85-member Peoples Democratic Party Strategy Review and Inter-Party Affairs Committee, Professor Jerry Gana, on Sunday, met with a former governor of Oyo State and national leader of the Accord Party, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, behind closed doors.

Gana who was in company of the 2015 governorship candidate of PDP in Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje met Ladoja at Ondo Street Bodija residence in Ibadan and engaged in a meeting that lasted for three hours.

The duo of Gana and Agbaje were received by Ladoja and his political associates among whom were Senator Femi Lanlehin; Barrister Bayo Lawal; Chief Bayo Lawal; Professor Tunde Ayeleru; Hon. Fatai Adesina; Mr. Nureni Adisa; Alhaji Bashir Lawal and Dr Nureni Adeniran.

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The visit came about two months after the governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, sent a delegation of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), led by Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu and a former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, to discuss third force arrangement with Ladoja in Ibadan.

Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Professor Gana said his committee, having sat for close to two months, decided to implement one of the key recommendations which was to “touch base with prime movers and genuine democrats who were solidly part of the PDP.”

It would be recalled that Ladoja dumped PDP in December 2010 in the wake of the division that tore the party apart in the build up to the 2011 general election in which he ran for the governorship of the state under the banner of the Accord Party.

The elsewhile Minister of Information, stressed the need for all genuine democrats to unite and rescue Nigeria from the ”ineptitude of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 general election.”

He noted that Ladoja and other democrats across party lines in the country needed to come together in the interest of sustainable democracy, peace, security and good governance in the country.

“We are here to really convey our good wish to Senator Rashidi Ladoja who, though is a key leader in Accord, is one of the founding fathers of the PDP. We are touching base with genuine democrats, those who really wish democracy well in Nigeria. We have come with a very clear message that all democrats must unite,” he said.

Asked if the PDP could attract leaders of other opposition parties to fuse into it in view of its leadership crisis, Gana said the crisis in the PDP was being blown out of proportion, saying that 95 per cent of the party’s leaders were on the same page.

He expressed optimism that the pending judgment of the Appellate Court on the leadership tussle in the party would clear all doubts about the authentic leadership of the party.

He added that the PDP would be re-invented after its committee submits its report and recommendations implemented, but declined to comment on whether the name of the party would be changed.

Our correspondent learnt that one of the proposals put to Gana by Ladoja camp was the need to change the name of the party to attract “genuine democrats.”

Today's PDP Legally-Illegal Convention: Mimiko In Fight To Finish With S'South Govs. Over Bode George, Agbaje

The governors elected under the platform of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP are reportedly divided over the choice between Bode George and Jimi  Agbaje for the office of national chairman.

Despite  the confusion emanating from conflicting court orders restraining and affirming Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)scheduled convention, chieftains and ordinary faithful of the main opposition party in the country,  will today elect new set of substantive national officers to administer the party for a statutory four -year tenure.

Leading contenders in  the  race for the exalted position of national chairman are two chieftains of the party from Lagos State: former Deputy National Chairman, Bode George and its governorship candidate in the 2015 general elections, Jimi Agbaje. The chairman emeritus of Daar Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi is believed to be waiting to reap from the backlash that would emanate from the clash of the major contenders from Lagos.

Ondo State governor and chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Dr. Segun Mimiko is believed to be the arrow head of the campaign for the emergence of Chief George as national chairman, Daily Sun report says

But a party source disclosed that a certain governor from the South-south has been able to impress it on his colleagues in the zone and the South-east to line up their delegates behind Agbaje, our source says

“The governors believe they can relate well with Agbaje than his main rival,” the source said.

Also in the race are former Education Minister, Tunde Adeniran and a former Minister for Special Duties, Professor Taoheed Adedoja. Since the aspirants from the  South-west where the position had been zoned could not agree on a consensus deal, today’s  election is an  open contest for the votes of delegates. 

But Dokpesi has insisted on contesting for the position because it is zoned to the South, not South-west and his major support is said to come from his zone and some states in the North.

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'Anointed' Jimi Agbaje Incur EFCC Wrath Over $12m Election Fund, To Be Arrested At PDP Convention

Except last minute change in plan, the anointed candidate to assume the coveted position of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party national Chairman, Mr Jimi Agbaje may have incur the wrath of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC over an alleged $12 million receipt from the embattled former national Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, report according to Elombah.com suggests

Agbaje who was the PDP candidate in the 2015 election but lost to Akinwunmi Ambode, is said to be endorsed and anointed by the party's governors to emerge as the National chairman at the Port Harcourt convention slated to hold tomorrow

Though unconfirmed, the Elombah's report suggests that the EFCC is plotting to arrest him at the venue of the PDP national convention in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

Agbaje is alleged to have received the sum of $12m from the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki. 

Elombah reported that the anti-graft agency, EFCC has been investigating Mr. Agbaje for a while and has perfected plan to embarrass him with arrest at the convention ground

When asked if the timing of the arrest was a ploy to embarrass Mr. Agbaje, our source who pleaded anonymity said he cannot confirm such.

But he only confirmed authoritatively that Agbaje will be picked on Wednesday.

Agbaje, a pharmacist and former Treasurer of the Yoruba sociocultural group, Afenifere  was a former member of the Alliance for Democracy (AD).

He later defected to the Democratic Peoples Alliance (DPA) where he contested the 2007 governorship election in Lagos. 

In 2014 he joined the Peoples Democratic Party on whose ticket he contested the 2015 guber elections.

He lost to incumbent Governor Akinwumi Ambode of the All Progressive Congress.

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PDP Chairmanship Tussle: Agbaje A BETRAYER - George; You're 'Not Reputable' To Lead PDP - Agbaje Fires back

Mr. Jimi Agbaje in a veiled manner has said the reputation of his estranged godfather, Chief Olabode George is not what the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Needed now as the party party struggles for survival.

Agbaje apparently reacting to insinuation by a former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Bode George, who said he was very disappointed with the insistence of the Lagos State governorship candidate of the PDP in the 2015 election, Jimi Agbaje, not to step down for him over the national chairmanship contest of the party, Punch Newspaper reports

George, who supported Agbaje during the governorship election, said he expected that Agbaje would do the same for him on his ambition to become the next chairman of the PDP.

Chief Olabode George said, according to Punch Newspaper, the support he gave to Agbaje during the governorship election was one of the causes of the crisis in the Lagos State chapter of the PDP.

“I am very disappointed but not angry. Vengeance is not mine, it is God’s. I want to quote the book of Ecclesiastics, which says that there is a season for everything. Whatever you sow in your lifetime, you will reap.

“Our Lord Jesus Christ said that one of his disciples would betray him. The disciples started looking round. Judas Iscariot, the traitor, has been around from time immemorial. It’s a shame. That is his (Agbaje’s) choice. I just pray that God would continue to direct this country. God has told us that it is only Him we can trust, not human beings.”

“Agbaje knows what is right. My advice is that he should step down. He should obey his elders.  As a Christian, we should have the fear of God. If he insists on contesting, I cannot stop him. Let the decision be made by the delegates at the convention.”

Reacting in an interview with our correspondent on Saturday, 

Agbaje in reaction as reported by Punch Newspaper said he had great respect for George.

Agbaje,speaking through  his spokesperson,  Mr. Felix Oboagwina, said he was not a betrayer as being claimed, adding that he decided to contest the election in the national interest.

He said, “For Jimi Agbaje, the national chairmanship position was never his ambition. He never aspired to it. The stakeholders decided that they needed someone who would not have to deal with a reputation crisis and they chose Agbaje.

“Agbaje never betrayed Chief Bode George. He is not a betrayer. He has all the respect for George but this is beyond true allies; this is beyond Lagos State. He is contesting in the national interest. The party has created a level playing field. Let the best man win.”

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Agbaje Shuns Fayose, Mimiko, S'West PDP Leaders, Picks Chairmanship To Battles godfather, Bode George

Mr. Jimi Agbaje has finally picked the national chairmanship form of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP that will pitch him against his godfather, Chief Olabode George.

The South-West chapter of the PDP yesterday picked Olabode George, as the consensus candidate for the national chairmanship position.

George was adopted at a meeting held at the Government House, Akure, Ondo State.

Those in attendance were Governors Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo), Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti), Mimiko’s deputy, Lasisi Oluboyo, Fayose’s deputy, Dr. Kolapo Olusola, George, Senator Iyiola Omisore, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, Alhaji Yekini Adeojo, Mrs. Olusola Obada, Chief Shuaibu Oyedokun, Chief Dare Adeleke, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, Senator Teslim Folarin and others.

Before George’s adoption, the zonal caucus had zoned the chairmanship position to Lagos and Ogun States.

A six-man committee headed by Adeojo was set up to appeal to other aspirants to support George. The committee is expected to submit its report in 48 hours.

Already, Jimi Agbaje (Lagos), Gbenga Daniel (Ogun) and Adedoja (Oyo) had indicated interest in contesting for the chairmanship post at the party’s convention in Port Harcourt.

The meeting also agreed to zone the position of the deputy national publicity secretary to Oyo/Osun and national treasurer to Ondo/Ekiti.

Mimiko and Fayose spoke glowingly of George’s experience, charisma and loyalty to the party.

To the governors, PDP would be better served if George is elected as the national chairman, adding that it will be the first time a Yoruba man will be elected to lead the party since 1998

Lagos State Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2015 election, Mr Jimi Agbaje has promised to restore the party’s winning magic at elections.

Agbaje said this while addressing journalists after he picked the nomination forms for the chairmanship position of the party in Abuja.

His words: “We accept that mistakes were made in the past in the PDP, especially with our internal democracy. So, we have to go back to the position of the founding fathers of our party on internal democracy.

“And that means that we have go back to our constitution. That is very important. We have to be more all inclusive as we have been thus far. It is about bringing people nearer rather than sending them far away from the party. Everybody must feel to be part of this party.

“What I bring to the table is that I am not a member of any faction or any tendencies. I am in a position to talk to everybody, to ensure that if you love the PDP, then it is time to come back to the zone.

“I will appeal to those who feel very strongly to join us because Nigeria cannot make the progress it deserves without a viable opposition and that PDP is going to provide that opposition as an alternative government and in a responsible manner.”

News Punch had earlier published that Jimi Agbaje is being sponsored by some power brokers in the PDPD and would contest against Chief Olabode George, his perceived godfather during the 2015 Lagos State governorship contest

The power brokers in the PDP were said to have picked Agbaje after extensive deliberations in the past weeks.

He was said to have received more vocal approval than several others considered for the job.

The party leaders were said to have mapped out a strategy to ensure that they are not openly seen to be working for Agbaje’s emergence.

Our source said the former governorship candidate will be made to seek the party’s nomination alongside others with all aspirants treated equally.

“But plans are afoot for massive mobilisation of delegates in the six geo-political zones for Agbaje’s candidature at the upcoming convention to ensure his emergence.

“His backers have decided not to persuade other aspirants to step down, in order to avoid recriminations that could ignite fresh crisis in the party,” the source added.

Related News: Jimi Agbaje Battles Godfather, Bode George Over PDP National Chairmanship

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Jimi Agbaje Battles Godfather, Bode George Over PDP National Chairmanship

The rescheduled national convention of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP may have pitched former Lagos State PDP governorship Candidate, Mr. Jimi Agbaje and his godfather, Chief Olabode George as both have emerged as the contenders for the coveted national chairmanship of the party, News Punch has authoritatively learnt.

Chief Olabode George was a staunch supporter of Jimi Agbaje during the build up to 2015 Lagos PDP gubernatorial primary election at the detriment of the former minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro

A competent party source confided yesterday that the choice of Agbaje as chairman has received the approval of key party organs and stakeholders in virtually all the six geo-political zones, The Nation Newspaper reports this morning

The source, who craved anonymity because he is not mandated to divulge the information, said the South-East zone is the most favourably disposed to having the former governorship candidate lead the party.

The decision to settle for Agbaje was said to have emerged from well thought out permutations on various elective positions ahead of the 2019 general elections.

For instance, the party has zoned its 2019 presidential ticket to the North, which automatically disqualifies any chairmanship candidate from the region.

Similarly, the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, is being primed for the vice president ticket.

The party’s immediate past Deputy National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, is also said to be in reckoning to retain the position, with the backing of the Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike.

Power brokers in the PDP were said to have picked Agbaje after extensive deliberations in the past weeks.

He was said to have received more vocal approval than several others considered for the job.

The party leaders were said to have mapped out a strategy to ensure that they are not openly seen to be working for Agbaje’s emergence.

Our source said the former governorship candidate will be made to seek the party’s nomination alongside others with all aspirants treated equally.

“But plans are afoot for massive mobilisation of delegates in the six geo-political zones for Agbaje’s candidature at the upcoming convention to ensure his emergence.

“His backers have decided not to persuade other aspirants to step down, in order to avoid recriminations that could ignite fresh crisis in the party,” the source added.

In the South-West, it was gathered according to Punch Newspaper that both Chief Bode George and Prof. Tunde Adeniran have shown interest in the race.

George, a former military administrator of Ondo State, was also a former deputy national chairman of the party.

He is from Lagos State.

Adeniran, who once attempted to become the national secretary of the party, was a former minister of education.

He hails from Ekiti State.

Both men were said to have divided the party from the zone.

While some believed that Adeniran does not have a faction in the party from the zone, others say he has no experience in party management.

George who has experience in management of political party, is also being accused of belonging to a faction of the party in his home state.

A former Minister of Transportation, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, however told our correspondent that members of the party in the zone would be working for George.

He said that a delegation from the South-West would be meeting with the national caretaker committee in Abuja soon to inform them about their support for George’s ambition.

Babatope also said that it would be wrong for the South-South to want to field a candidate for the position of the national chairman when it just produced the president.

He said, “We are fielding George for the race and we are visiting members of the national caretaker committee on Friday to openly say this.

“It will not be good for the South-South to still show interest in the race when the zone has just produced the president of the country from our party.”

It was however gathered that Adeniran has started sending text messages to his supporters to express his interest in the race.

George, in an interview with our correspondent, confirmed his interest in the race.

He said having served the party at various levels since 1998, he was prepared to lead it out of its present crisis.

He said, “In terms of experience and political exposure, I’m capable of leading the party and I’m ready to submit myself for election. The party is in an interim stormy water and it needs an experienced captain to take it to the harbour. Don’t forget that I’m also a permanent member of the Board of Trustees of the party.

“But we are waiting for the zoning committee to finish its job before I fully commence my campaign. Already, we are reaching out to all zones on the need to support the South-West to lead the party.

“This is because, we have never be given the opportunity of leading the party for the last 17 years.”

  It is however not clear who among the candidates from the South-West will have the support of the two governors.

During the last botched convention, Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State rooted for Sheriff before the two of them fell apart due to politics.

The party yesterday inaugurated an 83-member zoning committee charged with the responsibility of deciding the zones that will take the available positions at the national level.

The committee is chaired by the Ebonyi State Governor, Mr. Dave Umahi, with his Gombe State counterpart, Ibrahim Dankwabo, as deputy and former Benue  State Governor, Mr. Gabriel Suswam, as secretary.

The committee also has notable party chieftains across the six geo-political zones as members.

It is expected to submit its report within seven days, after which the sale of nomination forms will commence for the convention billed to hold in Port Harcourt on August 17.

Caretaker committee chairman of the PDP, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, charged the zoning committee to be fair and just in its assignment.

He advised that positions should not be restricted to only one state in a zone but thrown open to aspirants in all the states in the various zones.

Makarfi decried the previous arrangement under the leadership of Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff, which led to the May 21 botched convention.

According to him, only one nomination form was made available for each position, including the chairmanship.

Also addressing newsmen shortly after the inauguration ceremony, the spokesman for the caretaker committee, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, said no member of the committee will be contesting any of the available positions.

Adeyeye said the window of reconciliation with the Sheriff group remained open, but added that the condition given by the group that the caretaker committee be dissolved is untenable.

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Obasanjo, Atiku, Duke, Others Linked To New Political Party; Tinubu's Name Too Filters Ahead 2019

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, an unconfirmed report says is leading a pack of top politicians including his former Vice President. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former senate president Ken Nnamani and former Cross River State Governor Mr. Donald Duke, among others, to float a new political party ahead of the 2019 general elections apparently in dissatisfaction with the performance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government led by President Muhammadu Buhari, Frontier News reports

It gathered authoritatively, Frontier News says that the new party formation, which is billed for lunch in November 2016 also has Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal and his predecessor Senator Aliyu Wamako as coordinator of Sokoto state while Senator Musa Kwakwaso is to oversee Kano state.

Other coordinators of the yet to be named mega party our correspondent gathered are Senator Adamu Aliero who is to coordinate Kebbi state, MrsAll Progressives Congress  who is to coordinate Akwa Ibom, the current secretary to the Edo State government Professor Julius Ihonvbere is to coordinate Edo State while Mr. Jimi Agbaje is to coordinate Lagos state. The name of Ogun born politician Mr. Bode Mustapha also featured in the new political arrangement.

Some governors of the South-South and South-East, who are serving their second terms in office our correspondent gathered are also deeply involved in the political arrangement but with the promise of vice presidential slot while  present and former governors of the North have also been linked to the new party.

Though the name of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was linked to the new party, an insider told Frontiersnews that Obasanjo is strongly opposed to the inclusion of his former deputy in the party.

A source, who spoke to our correspondent, on condition of anonymity said ” Obasanjo is blocking the inclusion of Atiku Abubakar because of their old quarrel. We are beginning to see the former VP returning to the PDP before 2019 because the APC will certainly not give him the ticket in 2019″.

Top political leaders in both the ruling APC, the PDP and other political parties in the country have also been linked with the new party as consultation intensifies.

An inside source told our correspondent on Monday that key members of the National Assembly, some serving ministers, former governors and a host of other powerful individuals in the country swell the rank of the new political group.

The source stated that in the months ahead, “you are going to see alignment and realignment of political interests. As for the APC and the PDP, there survival will be dependent on their ability to manage their crisis”.

Our correspondent’s investigations revealed that APC strongman Senator Bola Tinubu is already mobilising his supporters to consolidate their hold on the South West bloc and possibly reawaken “his old political bloc”.

Tinubu’s key allies and diehard loyalists who the source said are very unhappy in APC and with the President Muhammadu Buhari’s government are already mobilising to recreate the old Alliance for Democracy (AD) platform ahead of the 2019 general elections, another top politician confirmed.

The source said this development is also applicable to the Atiku Abubakar and the Bukola Saraki’s blocs.

The promoters of the yet to be named political party, the online medium said were undecided wether to create a completely new political platform or leverage on an already registered party and build it into a mega party to form a formidable opposition party to the APC and the PDP in the political landscape.

I Won Lagos Govornorship - Agbaje; It's A Lie, We Lost Due To Obanikoro Selfishness - Boge George

There was mild drama yesterday at the opposition Peoples Democratic Party secretariat in Lagos during the state's stakeholders' meeting ahead of the party's national convention and congresses between the duo of the party's governorship candidate, Mr. Jimi Agbaje and the national Deputy Chairman, Chief Olabode George, who fell on different pages on who won or lose the State gubernatorial election last year.

Agbaje, who addressed party members at the PDP’s secretariat in Lagos on Tuesday, insisted that he won the governorship election, though, the general election turned him into a debtor.

The PDP governorship candidate, who spoke in pidgin English, however, said that despite the loss of the party in the last general elections, members of the party should shun bitterness and work to rebuild the party.

He said, “Some members were annoyed because the monies meant for the elections were not given to them to prosecute the last polls. I am angry too because the PDP won the last election in the state but was denied victory. I finish election, na gbese, I carry for head.”

In his remarks, a former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Bode George, attributed the defeat of the party in the last general elections to a former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro.

The PDP chieftain, who lamented that indiscipline had been a major problem of the party, said the party would not tolerate factions under any guise because they were dividing the party.

George said, “Our victory was scuttled by evil characters who preferred the narrow position of the ministerial office than the collective esteem and honour of winning the governorship election in Lagos State.

“We were defeated by the agent provocateurs within our ranks. We were defeated by political renegades who merely invested in their own greedy and selfish interests.

“This cannot continue. Nobody is above the constitution of the party. We must either strictly adhere to the normative pattern of the party rules or we ship out. There will be no exemptions.

“The party is supreme. Enough of all these so-called groupings. Groupings do not build a healthy and strong national party. It is parochial and destructive.”

A former Minister of Works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, urged members of the party to go back to their various wards to start rebuilding the party.

He said the forthcoming congresses would promote legitimacy, adding that imposition of candidates would not be tolerated.

Sources: News Punch, Punch Newspaper