AN OPEN LETTER TO THE NATIONAL CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL WORKING COMMITTEE (NWC) OF THE PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP) ON THE DISCREDITABLE ACTIONS AND MANIPULATION OF CONGRESSES BY HON. SETONJI KOSHOEDO IN LAGOS STATE.
The attention of your good office and other NWC members of our great Party is drawn to the actions of the Deputy National Secretary, Hon. Setonji Koshoedo, in the processes leading to the Ward and Local Government Congresses of our party in Lagos State.
It is worrisome that Hon. Koshoedo, who has not been involved in the activities of the party in the State, either financially or otherwise, collected the forms for the congresses and decided to single handedly determine the modus operandi of distributing the forms. Surprisingly, he didn’t take into cognizance the efforts of the Leaders of the Party to build consensus among party members in the various Local Governments, an effort that had already started bearing fruits.
Hon Koshoedo, by his actions, has brought about acrimony and a situation that may lead to mayhem, disturbance of public peace and court actions.
This calls to action his motive.
Why did he ignore the Leadership of the Party in Lagos that include two life-members of BOT in determining the modus-operandi for conducting the congresses in Lagos?
How did he arrive at the list of people to be given nomination forms for distribution to the various Local Governments?
Why were forms given to people who have defected to the ADC and other parties in Lagos and are working openly with the opposition?
Does Koshoedo’s position as a member of the NWC give him the right to appoint leaders at his whims and caprices in Lagos?
Who gave Koshoedo’s PA, Senyon, the authority to personally distribute the nomination forms to Local Governments?
The party is just coming out of a period laden with crisis and all loyal members of the Party must resist any attempt to draw us back.
Results of the Party from Lagos State in the 2023 elections were the worst in the history of PDP.
This was caused by self-aggrandisement, greed, inordinate and selfish ambition of some people who claim to be our members but, directly or indirectly, continue to undermine the PDP.
Never again will we allow this to happen in our State.
We are firing this early warning shot to Hon. Koshoedo to prevent actions that will lead to political upheaval in the State as it is obvious that his actions are, at best, nebulous. He has not shown any sense of decency or loyalty that will convince the people about his behaviour.
We are forced to declare him a political persona-non-grata in the State due to his actions.
His actions are highly unacceptable. They are insulting, unacceptable, unjust and unfair.
We appeal to you to use your good offices to remedy this situation before it escalates.
We are willing to pay for forms to be distributed in an honest, just and fair manner to contestants across the State to contest for Party positions.
The old era of manipulations and deceits has ended.
Members of the public are watching the party and our actions should always be above board. We must be just, fair and equitable.
Koshoedo is disregarding party leaders who have been holding meetings in Lagos and, pitiably, honouring those who have long left the Party. We are told this is to fuel his 2027 governorship ambition.
The fact that he is the Deputy National Secretary does not make him the Leader of the Party in Lagos and he should be made to realise that.
Since 1999, some elements in our party have been working with opposition parties to undermine the PDP. Today, we see some so-called party members, who have gone to APC and PDP, being empowered by the NWC.
A leopard will never change its spots. That’s why the fundamental nature or character of these anti-PDP elements is unlikely to change, especially their negative traits and habits. They see politics as business, not service to humanity.
So, why empower them? To further destroy the party in Lagos, a state that has the highest number of votes in Nigeria?
This madness must stop immediately.
*Chief Bode George
Former Deputy National Chairman of PDP,
PDP Leader in Lagos.
