A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olabode George, has called on aggrieved members of the party to close rank for the benefit of the PDP.
While urging the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to reach out to aggrieved persons, George also appealed to the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, to continue to show interest in the party’s affairs.
George made his position known on Wednesday at a conference held at his residence in Ikoyi, Lagos.
He also urged the party’s National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, to honour his promise and resign.
He said Ayu had earlier promised to resign if the party’s presidential candidate emerges from the North.
He said, “I aspired to serve as national chairman, but had to bury the ambition when it was not zoned to the South West, contrary to the expectation of party faithful in the region.
“Ayu once said if the presidential candidate should emerge from the North, he will resign. I want to take on him for his word. Why are you now trying to reverse the role? Your word must be your bond.
“After the chairman was zoned to the North, the presidential slot should have been zoned to the South. With what the APC has done to Nigeria, zoning is now more important than in 1999.
“However, I appeal to all sides to sheathe their swords. National elections are coming and the party must be ready to convince Nigerians that it can manage the resources of the country in the best interest of the people.
“It is absolutely necessary and makes a lot of sense for the candidate who wants to wear the big crown, Atiku Abubakar, to start the networking of people and multiple congregation effort that will make the party succeeds.
“I urge Ezenwo Wike to maintain an abiding interest and fidelity to the PDP which is the best in terms of national outlook, format and reputation. Politicians should bear in mind that in politics, you win some and you lose some.”