By Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, states that he has forgiven President-elect Bola Tinubu but will not forget.
Both men, who hail from the same part of Lagos, have been engaged in a rivalry for over a decade.
In an interview with newsmen, the PDP leader expresses the need for Nigerians to remain steadfast in praying for the country as a new administration takes over. He insists that the process that brought Tinubu into power was “shambolic” and expresses hope that the judiciary will address the petitions challenging the election.
Recent attempts have been made to reconcile Tinubu and Bode George. However, George declares that there is nothing personal between them but reiterates that he will not congratulate Tinubu since the case is still pending in court.
Daily Trust reports that George and Tinubu have been at odds due to George’s previous incarceration when he chaired the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). He was later acquitted and discharged.
George says, “I have forgiven him, but you cannot forget. I also do not accept the procedure that led to his assumption of office. Because it is my country, I can only pray for my country. But the process was shambolic. The man was rushing as if he was losing his child—that’s the INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. They obtained the result that same night and handed over the certificate in the middle of the night.”
Regarding his assessment of President Buhari, the PDP leader states, “My personal assessment is that they failed, not completely in every sector, but if you set a minimum passing score of 33% on an exam to proceed to the next level, they did not achieve that 33%. Even if I were to give them about 5%, that 5% still requires a lot of introspection. The economic sector, education, agriculture, and infrastructure—when it comes to the most crucial responsibility a government must ensure for its people, which is security of lives and property, who is safe now? Whether you’re poor or middle-aged, when you walk in any direction, you have to be vigilant—looking ahead, behind, left, and right. It is disheartening and heartbreaking that the number one job, guaranteeing security of lives and property, has failed.”
