SPEECH BY THE FORMER DEPUTY NATIONAL LEADER OF PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP), CHIEF OLABODE IBIYINKA GEORGE, CON. AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE NEW PARTY EXECUTIVES IN LAGOS ON FRIDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2026.
Ladies and gentlemen, you are welcome to this press conference on the future of the greatest party in Africa, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
I want to confidently tell you that what we have in our party today, since our Ibadan national convention in November 2025, is a rebirth, a new hope, a new beginning, a restoration of the confidence Nigerians had in PDP when it was founded by our fathers in 1998.
Some of us did the leg works when the foundation was laid about 28 years ago.
That is why we have resolved that we will never, I repeat, never allow anti-democracy elements in APC today, to destroy our party.
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 bed fellows.
At least, you can see how our congresses – ward, council, state – and convention were conducted.
Can you say the same of APC? Their current National Chairman and other NWC members were imposed. Last year, the former national chairman was just told to leave the office within two hours. Is that democracy?
Because APC is threatened with the way we conducted our convention in Ibadan, they are now using INEC to truncate that process. But, Nigerians know their undemocratic game plan. That is why voters who have suffered from APC’s bad policies are waiting to re-elect PDP in 2027.
Since 2015 when APC started ruling this country, Nigerians have seen the difference. This is a party that has no fear of God.
PDP stands for what is just, fair and equitable. And that is what the Kabiru Turaki-led NWC has vowed to do in the build up to the next general elections in 2027.
Due to the anti-people policies of APC, Nigerians are really angry and hungry. APC is now pushing them to the wall by plotting to rig the 2027 elections. I can assure the ruling party that Nigerians will resist their rigging plot.
In this rigging plot, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should also be careful. In PDP, INEC cannot choose our leaders for us. Opposition parties will resist this irresponsible behaviour from the umpire. What INEC is doing is shameful. Like I said a few days ago, some of the characters in INEC were not born in 1962 when the crisis in the defunct Western Region started, due to the manipulation of democratic processes by the powers that be then.
We all know what happened between then and 1966 which eventually led to the civil war between 1967 and 1970 when over two million Nigerians died.
So, INEC should be very careful.
Look at the election done a few days ago. It was shambolic, disgraceful, chaotic, disorganised and mismanaged. We saw a video of some security agents storming a polling unit in Abuja to snatch ballot boxes, after firing tear gas. This is shameful and despicable. Arrant nonsense.
If APC thinks it can successfully repeat same in 2027, Nigerians will shock them.
PDP is better organised than APC. That is why we are inaugurating the Lagos State Exco of our party, led by Dr. Amos Fawole, today. They are people of integrity and we are going to support them.
I appeal to our members not to panic. The challenge PDP is facing today is temporary. Remember the video that went viral when Nyesom Wike was still the Governor of Rivers State. He said if there was headache in PDP, there was cancer in APC. He also said if he betrayed PDP, he would never have peace of mind. We all know what is happening today.
So, PDP members should not panic at all. Nigerians are waiting for us in 2027. Remain in the party and work for its progress.
From the North to South, East to West, PDP remains a strong political platform, offering great opportunities for members and Nigerians.
It is only in PDP that the interest of Nigerians can be better served.
There is no coalition in today’s Nigeria that can be stronger than PDP.
Ours is a reborn political party that has weathered every storm and can never go under. Those defecting must return to this Iroko political party.
PDP is coming back to take over its place as the ruling party in the country.
I want to assure Nigerians that come 2027, PDP will take Nigeria to its rightful place in the Comity of Nations.
Thank you.
CHIEF OLABODE GEORGE, CON.
ATONA OODUA OF YORUBALAND
FEBRUARY 27, 2027.
