Politics

Building bridges: Tinubu’s men hold closed-door meeting with Bode George

Published

12 months ago

May 14, 2023

Bode George and Bola Tinubu

Building bridges: Tinubu’s men hold closed-door meeting with Bode George

As part of the efforts to build bridges and ward off the incessant attacks on the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, by the former Deputy National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, the loyalists of the former Lagos State governor Saturday visited George in his Lugard Road, Ikoyi office to solicit support for the incoming President of Nigeria.

George, a fierce critic of Tinubu, had vowed to go into exile if the former Lagos State governor who was the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerged as Nigeria’s president in the 2023 general election.“I have not changed my mind, if he (Tinubu) is the president I will go.

“If Tinubu wins, by that time I will be 80 years old. What am I doing here? I will wish you people well,” George had told ARISE NEWS Channel in November 2022.

Speaking after Tinubu was declared the winner of the February 25 presidential election, the PDP chieftain said although he was yet to decide on his destination, his self-imposed exile remains in the works.

George added that he plans to retire to “anywhere in any part of the world” because Tinubu’s victory “might be a hell of a problem.

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“That is still on my plan. If I decide on what to do, I wish you well. I’m not looking for a job, I have everything I want and how much can I eat? I also have my children and they are no longer kids,” he said.

“They are all mature so what am I looking for? My wife is there. She will take good care of me. I will stay in Nigeria depending on the outcome of this (post-election litigation) because I know there might be a hell of a problem.

“You know I am a military lord so I can go anywhere in any part of the world and I will be looking at you people.“I have even decided that having put 25 years each in the military and politics which is 50 years of my life in the public domain, I need rest so whatever I see at the end of this thing. I’m retiring from partisan politics and will be enjoying the rest of my life.”

But in an apparent move to ward off further criticism, Tinubu’s loyalists and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos yesterday met with George.The delegation was led by the chairman of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the foremost political platform in the state, Prince Tajudeen Olusi.

The GAC is an influential group comprising critical stakeholders of the APC in Lagos State.It determines who gets what in Lagos politics.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, H Femi Gbajabiamila, who was supposed to be part of the delegation could not make it for undisclosed reasons.

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Also on the delegation is the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs and former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Adoke Orelope-Adefulire.Though the meeting was closed-door, THISDAY was reliably informed that the APC leaders were seeking George’s support for Tinubu as he assumes power on May 29.

It was also gathered that the APC leaders were mounting pressure on George to cease further media attacks on Tinubu.

At the meeting, George said that he was happy that the delegation visited him and insisted that he had nothing personal against Tinubu.

Accompanied by former Deputy Governor, Mrs. Kofoworola Akerele-Bucknor, and Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju (rtd), among others, George, however, made it clear that because of his position and membership of an opposition party, he would not congratulate Tinubu until after litigations related to the election are concluded.

George who expressed appreciation to the delegation, admitted that “we had detailed discussions on the unity of this great state of Lagos. I must say we established the fact that the culture of Lagos is to accept and accommodate all kinds of people and tribes. And if you get to Lagos State, there is no known tribe in Nigeria that does not reside here. That’s what makes Lagos the commercial nerve centre of the whole of West Africa.“Secondly, on the details of us working together, because a divided house cannot stand, we will work together on this. And I’ve said I have absolutely nothing personal between me and Tinubu,” George added.

Building bridges: Tinubu’s men hold closed-door meeting with Bode George

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BREAKING: Agboola wins Ondo PDP primary

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2 days ago

April 25, 2024

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BREAKING: Agboola wins Ondo PDP primary

A former deputy governor in Ondo state, Hon Ajayi Agboola has won the ongoing People’s Democratic Party governorship primary election in the state.

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BREAKING: APC NWC in peace talks with Aiyedatiwa, other Ondo gov aspirants

Published

2 days ago

April 25, 2024

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BREAKING: APC NWC in peace talks with Aiyedatiwa, other Ondo gov aspirants

The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC) is currently holding a closed-door peace meeting with Governor Lucky Ayiedatiwa and fifteen other aspirants in the April 20 Ondo state governorship primary election.

All the aspirants but Hon. Wale Akinterinwa and Hon. Isaacs Kekemeke are in attendance.

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Those in attendance are Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, Olusoji Adewale Ehinlanwo, a former member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Olugbenga Omogbemi Edema, and business magnate, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim Folorunsho.

Others are Engr. (Mrs.) Funmilayo Waheed-Adekojo, Hon. Akinfolarin Mayo Samuel, legal luminary, Chief Olusola Alexander Oke, SAN, Ohunyeye Olamide Felix, and Barr. Morayo Lebi.

Also in attendance are Garvey Oladiran Iyanjan, Prof. Francis Adebayo Faduyile, and Engr. (Mrs) Judith Folakemi Omogoroye, President Unilag Alumni (Worldwide), Engr. Ifeoluwa Olusola Oyedele and Hon. Omo’Oba Okunjimi Odimayo John.

BREAKING: APC NWC in peace talks with Aiyedatiwa, other Ondo gov aspirants

Politics

I broke the chains of godfatherism in Oyo politics – Makinde

Published

3 days ago

April 25, 2024

Trends Admin

Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde

I broke the chains of godfatherism in Oyo politics – Makinde

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State says he has dismantle the shackles of godfatherism that once characterised the State politics.

Makinde said Oyo State was once known for ‘who is your father’ politics, stating that such style of political arrangement has ended with him.

Makinde spoke on Wednesday at Students’ Legislative Summit organised by the Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly and chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin, in conjunction with the Students’ Representative Council, University of Ibadan.

Makinde disclosed that his father was not wealthy or influential and the Oyo State people still gave him the opportunity to lead.

The governor underscores the need to get youths into leadership position, imploring Nigerian youths to become more actively involved in governance by increasing their participation.

Makinde said that the issue of leadership is imperative in preparing the youth for the future and governance.

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“For us here, we have seen the common situation where ‘who is your father’ was the order of the day but we have been able to break that in Oyo State. My father was a ‘nobody’ and the Oyo State people still gave me the opportunity to lead.

“We may not be able to prepare the future for the youth, but we can prepare the youth for the future. Please, don’t see this event as just an opportunity to look at the issue of leadership in this country. And, in me, Seyi Makinde, the youth have an ally and we will prepare the leaders of the next generation amongst the youth.

“I am here this afternoon to encourage the youth. If you look at the history of Nigeria, we had our independence in 1960 and six years after, in 1966, the person that became the Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, was 31 years and some months old. After him, during the Second Republic, former President Obasanjo retired as a General at the age of 39.

“You should dream big; people have ruled this country at very tender ages. So, for you, don’t think that at 29 or 30, you are too young to rule and I am glad, because this is almost like catching them early.

“You have the students here and in about three years, some of you will be out there to move on. If I were you, I wouldn’t start looking for work; I would start doing my own thing at a very early age of 24 or 25. With the kind of energy you still have, you can pull down the kingdom of Satan.”