The former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has called members the party to be committed to reinforcing the party, so that it does not collapse.

Speaking at a reconciliation meeting of leaders and elders of the party held at Ikeja, Lagos on Wednesday, Chief George urged members of the party to use the opportunity of the reconciliation to move the party forward to avert disaster.

He appealed to members of the party not to allow themselves to be divided, rather they should come together and change the narrative by forgetting their differences in the interest of the party.

“If PDP collapses today, Nigeria may also collapse because this party is the engine room of our country.”

Chief George stated: “We should avoid a situation in which some members will move out of the party or mobilise Lagosians to vote for another candidate in 2027. The APC has completely messed up the state and Lagosians are waiting for PDP in 2027. So, PDP members should not be seen as enemies of the party and the state. This is the time to start serious reconciliation.”

He, however, emphasised the need to have respect for the party constitution and extol discipline in the party.

Speaking at the reconciliation meeting, former chairman of the party, Alhaji Muritala Ashorobi, said the reconciliation of PDP members which is across the nation was necessary to reposition the party and reclaim its lost glory.

He, however, appealed to members of the party to always cooperate with its leaders to move the party forward and stop castigating them unnecessarily. He said he succeeded as state chairman of the party because of the support of the leaders and elders of the party.

Speaking at the reconciliation meeting the former Minister of Cooperation and Integration in Africa, Dr Abimbola Ogunkelu urged members of the party to be committed in order to bring about change in Nigeria, which can only be possible by rebuilding the PDP gain power again.

He said: “We can’t achieve this if we keep fighting, we find out hands of the opposition is in our fight. We have been divided, we need to go back to rebuild the party.”

He, however, urged leaders and members of the party to respect the party constitution because lack of respect for it is the bane of the problem in the party. He also enjoined leaders of the party to allow democratic principles excel in picking candidates for election and shun the ideas of imposing candidates.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Lagos state chairman of the PDP,  Hon. Philip Aivoji said, the essence of the meeting is to ensure peace reign in the party and chart a roadmap for a cohesive party.

He said: “It is crucial to emphasize unity among party members, to set aside differences and move forward. Internal conflict has weakened the party, and it has affected its progress and capacity building for members, unity is important we should put personal interest aside we must prioritised unity.”