Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Bode George, has raised concerns over alleged moves to manipulate the party’s forthcoming congresses in Lagos State.
In an open letter addressed to PDP National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, and other members of the National Working Committee, George accused the party’s Deputy National Secretary, Mr. Setonji Koshoedo, of monopolizing the distribution of congress forms with the intent to hijack the process.
Koshoedo, who represents Lagos State on the PDP’s apex decision-making body, has been accused of sidelining established party structures in Lagos.
George argued that this action, if unchecked, could spark avoidable conflicts ahead of the ward and local government congresses scheduled before the party’s national convention in November.
“It is worrisome that Koshoedo, who has not contributed financially or otherwise to the activities of the party in the state, collected the forms for the congresses and decided to single-handedly determine how they would be distributed,” George wrote.
According to him, party leaders across various local governments had already made progress in building consensus among members, but Koshoedo’s actions risked derailing those efforts.
George warned that such interference could provoke acrimony, public disturbances, and even legal battles, which would damage the party’s fragile stability.
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He further described the move as an insult to the Lagos PDP leadership, which includes two life members of the party’s Board of Trustees.
“This is unacceptable, unjust and unfair. Never again will we allow this to happen in our state,” George said, adding that loyal party members must resist attempts to return the PDP to “an old era of manipulation and deceit.”
George appealed to the NWC to take immediate steps to avert what he called a looming crisis. “We are firing this early warning shot to prevent actions that will lead to political upheaval in the state. We appeal to you to use your good offices to remedy this situation before it escalates,” he urged.
Reflecting on the PDP’s poor outing in the 2023 general elections, George blamed the party’s worst-ever performance on greed, selfish ambition, and internal sabotage by some of its own members.
He said the current leadership in Lagos was determined to ensure fairness and credibility this time, stressing that the chapter was willing to pay for the forms provided they were distributed transparently.
He insisted that the party must operate above board, as Nigerians were watching. “We must be just, fair, and equitable,” he declared.
The PDP has fixed its national convention for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State. Ahead of that event, congresses are expected to be conducted across states to fill party positions at ward, local government, and state levels.
NAN
