The leader of the Peoples Democratic Party in Lagos state has been alleged to be behind the party’s poor showing in the 2015 general elections in Lagos.
This remark was made by the acting chairman of the state party, Kamaldeen Olorunoje, on Thurday, August 13, at a press briefing in Lagos state.
Olorunoje who became the chairman of the party following the suspension of Capt. Tunji Shelle (retd), said George’s imposition of several candidates adversely affected the party’s chances.
He added that the six House of Representatives and eight House of Assembly seats won by the party in the last election were due to the efforts of the candidates and a few party leaders that put some mechanisms in place, The Punch reports.
Reacting to the defection of several party bigwigs to the All Progressives Congress, Olorunoje said: “Chief Babatunde Olorogun-Etti left, Dr. Yomi Finnih left, Chief Olorunfunmi Basorun. All these people left because of one person, Chief Bode George.
“We all come from Lagos Island. Olorogun-Etti is from Ward E3 while George is from E2. If as a leader you are losing people in your local government, it calls for questioning and Olorogun-Etti was in Chief George’s caucus.
“For Lagos State, his leadership has not yielded any fruit. I respect him a lot but a lot needs to be said. He must be able to embrace democracy. His attitude is due to his military training. For example, he imposes candidates on the party.
“Most of our candidates that won elections were supposed to have been replaced. Had they been replaced, we wouldn’t have won anything. Chief George even told one of them to run for councillorship. That person is a member of the House of Representatives today.”
On the legality of Shelle’s suspension, Olorunoje said the national working committee would have the last say, adding that members of the state executive committee had the power to suspend him.
Olorunoje who became the chairman of the party following the suspension of Capt. Tunji Shelle (retd), said George’s imposition of several candidates adversely affected the party’s chances.
He added that the six House of Representatives and eight House of Assembly seats won by the party in the last election were due to the efforts of the candidates and a few party leaders that put some mechanisms in place, The Punch reports.
Reacting to the defection of several party bigwigs to the All Progressives Congress, Olorunoje said: “Chief Babatunde Olorogun-Etti left, Dr. Yomi Finnih left, Chief Olorunfunmi Basorun. All these people left because of one person, Chief Bode George.
“We all come from Lagos Island. Olorogun-Etti is from Ward E3 while George is from E2. If as a leader you are losing people in your local government, it calls for questioning and Olorogun-Etti was in Chief George’s caucus.
“For Lagos State, his leadership has not yielded any fruit. I respect him a lot but a lot needs to be said. He must be able to embrace democracy. His attitude is due to his military training. For example, he imposes candidates on the party.
“Most of our candidates that won elections were supposed to have been replaced. Had they been replaced, we wouldn’t have won anything. Chief George even told one of them to run for councillorship. That person is a member of the House of Representatives today.”
On the legality of Shelle’s suspension, Olorunoje said the national working committee would have the last say, adding that members of the state executive committee had the power to suspend him.
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