Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has declared that members defecting from the party would eventually return, insisting that the PDP remains Nigeria’s strongest and most nationally spread political platform.

George made the assertion on Friday during the inauguration of the Lagos State Executive Committee of the party in Ikeja, Lagos, where he described the PDP as a “reborn political party” poised to reclaim power at the centre in 2027.

According to him, the party has witnessed a rebirth following its national convention held in Ibadan in November 2025, restoring the confidence Nigerians had in it at inception in 1998.

“I want to confidently tell you that what we have in our party today since our Ibadan national convention is a rebirth, a new hope, a new beginning and a restoration of the confidence Nigerians had in PDP when it was founded by our fathers in 1998,” George said.

He maintained that despite pressures and alleged intimidation of PDP governors and lawmakers to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the party remains unshaken.

“Our governors and lawmakers are being forced and threatened to defect, but we are not bothered because PDP is the only true national party in the country today. APC is just a coalition of strange bedfellows,” he stated.

The PDP chieftain stressed that the party would not allow what he described as anti-democratic elements within the APC to destabilise it.

“That is why we have resolved that we will never, I repeat, never allow anti-democracy elements in APC to destroy our party. Those defecting must return to this Iroko political party,” he added.

George, who is also the Atona Oodua of Yorubaland, said the PDP was better organised than the ruling party, pointing to the conduct of its ward, local government, state congresses and national convention as evidence of internal democracy.

He criticised the leadership structure of the APC, alleging imposition of party officials and undemocratic practices.

He also accused the ruling party of plotting to manipulate the 2027 general elections, warning that Nigerians would resist any attempt to undermine the democratic process.

He cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain neutral and uphold its constitutional responsibility, warning against actions that could threaten Nigeria’s democratic stability.

“Nigerians are angry and hungry because of anti-people policies. If APC thinks it can repeat what we saw in recent elections in 2027, Nigerians will shock them,” George said.

Earlier, the newly inaugurated Lagos State PDP Chairman, Dr. Amos Fawole, described his emergence and that of his executive members as a solemn covenant to reposition the party in the state.

Fawole said the inauguration marked a significant step towards rebuilding trust, strengthening party structures from the ward to the state level, and presenting a credible alternative to Lagos residents.

“This is not merely a ceremonial transition, but a collective agreement to reawaken hope among the people and rescue the state through purposeful, people-centred politics,” he said.

He assured party leaders at the zonal and national levels that Lagos PDP would remain stable and strategic in contributing to the party’s regional and national growth.

The event was attended by prominent PDP leaders, including former Board of Trustees member Mrs. Aduke Maina, former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, members of the South-West zonal leadership, and other national officers of the party. (Daily Trust)