Elders and leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, including former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Chief Olabode George; former minister, Dr. Abimbola Ogunkelu; Hon. Phillips Aivoji; and Alhaji Muritala Ashorobi, among others, urged for true reconciliation within the fold on Wednesday, saying that the approaching 2027 general election is another golden opportunity for members to bury their differences and put on their thinking caps.

The PDP chieftains made the call while speaking during the reconciliation meeting of the state chapter of the party, which took place in Ikeja, saying that time now was for them to end the fight and unite in order to rebuild the party, which they said Lagosians were eagerly waiting for to take over power in the state due to current hardship in the land.

They all described the day as great, saying that the reconciliatory meeting signified the need for unity in order to move the party forward, even as they noted that the assignment was not for only elders and leaders but also all members at the wards and local government levels.

Addressing the gathering, Chief George, who is also the Atona Oodua of Yorubaland, while observing that Nigerians had seen the difference between the PDP and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and it was obvious they were yearning for a return of the PDP to set the country on the path of recovery, pleaded with all members from across the country to bury their differences and put on their thinking caps before the next general election held in 2027 as another golden becons.

The PDP Chieftain said that members should do everything humanly possible to ensure that the party does not go into the dustbin of history in 2027, pointing out that it was time for all elders and members to be concerned about the future of the PDP.

This was just as George warned that if the PDP collapsed today, Nigeria might also collapse, describing the main opposition party as the engine room of the country.

“As a life member of the Board of Trustees (BoT), the Upper Chamber, and the conscience of our party, my appeal today is to all members, young and old, from the North to the South, that we have another golden opportunity, before the next election in 2027, to bury our differences and put on our thinking caps.

“We should do everything humanly possible to ensure that the PDP does not go into the dustbin of history in 2027. God forbid this should happen to our party.

“So, this is the time for all elders and members of PDP to be concerned about the future of our great party.

“Obviously, party unity and inclusiveness of all members are ingredients to a viable strategy for our future electoral victories Some might say 2027 is still far away but realistically, it is not. By 2026, two years from now, politics will start for the 2027 elections.

“We should not also forget that we have off-cycle elections in Ondo and Edo states this year,” he said.

Speaking further, Chief George, while observing that many state chapters of the party were in crisis, said the Lagos parley was commencement of move to reunite the party, urging “that a zonal committee should go round the states and zones in the next six months to calm frayed nerves and encourage genuine reconciliation.”

“We are where we are today because of a self-inflicted crisis, so this is the time when reconciliation should be on top of our agenda. We should bury our individual ambitions now and not allow the PDP to crumble. We have no choice but to put our house in order.

“We are brothers and sisters, so we should put on our thinking caps to achieve a collective goal,” he said.

“I want to state clearly that, as one of the founding fathers and a former Deputy National Chairman of our party, I will never do or say anything against the interests of this party, but I abhor and detest injustice at all levels.

“I am a tireless defender of democracy and always fight for equity and justice for all with respect to the constitutions of this nation and our party. I have never left the party, no matter what situation besets me. I have been to the bedroom of the president in the villa, and I have also been to prison. So, I have seen it all.

“How we collectively address the issues at stake will be a major determinant of the fate of this party in 2027.

“I have no iota of tribalism in my blood. I stand to fight for inclusiveness for all Nigerians in the political process of this country and especially in this party, where some of us have suffered great injustice for the fight for equity and justice for all.

As leaders of the party, we must not pander towards ethnic affiliation because the PDP is the only true national party. The APC is just a mere collection of strange bed fellows,” he added.

Former minister, Dr. Ogunkelu, in his remark, welcomed the meeting, saying that it came at the right time, considering what had been happening in the country in the last nine years since the ruling APC came to power, with the economy now in shambles.

Ogunkelu, while noting sadly that the ruling party could have hands in a lack of unity and cohesion in the PDP, however, declared that it was time members went back and rebuilt the main opposition platform.

According to him, the assignment is not for the elders and leaders alone but also for all members down to the grassroots, pointing out that the party agents at the wards and local government levels were critical during elections as they could be influenced by the party in power due to the crisis and lack of unity.

“We need to get ourselves ready. I think we have learned enough lessons already.

“I see a great commitment on the part of party members; our party is a party of joiners. We have not moved to any other party.

“We are going to start at the ward level to ensure that democracy prevails.

“We must apply our constitution to the letter. Leaders must steer clear of imposing candidates, and we must hold meetings regularly and not allow indiscipline, but we must play by the rule,” he said.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the PDP in Lagos State, Hon. Aivoji, said the reconciliatory and unity gathering signified the PDP’s commitment to internal cohesion, solidarity among its members, and a shared vision for advancing its agenda in the state.

The party chieftain said the parley was put in place to design a road map for a better PDP in Lagos State, just as he emphasised the importance of unity, inclusivity, and strategic planning.

He equally urged party members to come together, set aside differences, and work towards a common goal of strengthening the PDP in Lagos State, posing that unity is not just a word but a collective commitment to putting aside personal interests and grievances for the greater good of the party.

“As members of the PDP In Lagos State, we must prioritise unity above everything else. Only through unity can we harness our collective strength and make meaningful progress,” he said.

“As we gather here today with a shared purpose and vision for the future of the PDP in Lagos State, let us remember that our strength lies in our unity. By working together with determination and resolve, we can build a better future for our party and achieve success beyond measure,” he added.

Aivoji, in conclusion, expressed his appreciation to Ambassador Yommy Eshinlokun Ogungbe, popularly called Imole Eko, for deeming it necessary to organise this forum, noting his commitment to the unity and progress of the party, which he said had always been paramount to him.

“Your desire to move the party forward has never been in doubt and we are grateful for always being there for the party, most especially at crucial periods. We appreciate all you have spent to ensure the success of this meeting and may the Almighty reward you abundantly. On behalf of the party, I say a big thank you,” the party chairman prayed.