Chief Olabode George, the former Deputy National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has condemned the disruption of the party’s 79th Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting by thugs, describing the incident as “despicable, horrific, inhuman, wicked, and unheard of.”
Speaking to journalists in Lagos on Friday, George expressed his shock over the use of thugs to invade the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, forcing the meeting to be abandoned.
George, a dedicated life member of the BoT, stated that the actions of those responsible should not be tolerated, warning that the PDP should not be reduced to an ‘Agbero’ party by any member with an agenda of self-interest.
He lamented that the situation was a reflection of disloyalty within the party and criticized the involvement of certain individuals in what he termed a disgraceful act.
“It is sacrilegious that thugs were hired to enter the premises to unleash mayhem, disrupting the 79th Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting.
“If that could happen, then what do you think those who sponsored the thugs will do during National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings?” he said.
He stated that the PDP, which has been a beacon of civility, humility, and respect for the rule of law since its inception in 1998, was now being undermined by individuals more interested in personal gain than the collective good of the party.
He further urged the party leadership to address the growing division within the ranks, calling for a peace meeting to resolve the ongoing factional disputes.
George reiterated that any member who was unwilling to work towards the party’s unity should be shown the door.
“As the largest party in Africa, PDP should not be turned into an ‘Agbero’ party by any member with an inordinate ambition. We have rules and regulations that govern our party,” he said.
George’s comments came after the violent disruption on Wednesday, which saw thugs scaling the walls of the party secretariat and attacking officials.
Security forces were called in to restore order, and George expressed regret over the national embarrassment caused by the incident.
“Can you imagine a situation in which party officers were attacked and dragged out of the hall by thugs?
“What a desecration of our office. Nigerians watched as thugs, sponsored by some so-called leaders of the party, scaled the fence of our national secretariat. What a national shame,” he stated.
The PDP leader urged the party to show strong leadership by sanctioning those responsible for the disruption, calling on the leadership to wield the big stick to protect the integrity of the party.
“If we are indeed serious as a party, this is the time for the party leadership to bring the two opposing factions together for a peace meeting. If they are not ready to embrace peace, they should step aside and allow the party to move past the current turmoil,” he concluded.