Race for PDP Chairmanship: the contenders, the pretenders

As Nigeria’s major opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), gets set to elect a new set of leaders to run its affairs for the next four years, we provide a brief profile, strength and weaknesses of those jostling for the party’s highest office come December 9. So far, eight candidates have signified their intentions to run for the office of national chairman: six from the South-West and two from the South-South geopolitical zone.

Those from the South-West are Bode George, Jimi Agbaje, Gbenga Daniel, Tunde Adeniran, Taoheed Adedoja and Rashidi Ladoja.

The other two from the South-South are Raymond Dokpesi and Uche Secondus. Bode George. A retired naval officer, Mr. George was military governor of Ondo State from 1988 to 1990 under former military ruler, Ibrahim Babangida.

He went into private business and politics after retirement and was a founding member of the PDP. He was appointed chairman of the board of Nigerian Ports Authority in 1999 by President Olusegun Obasanjo. He was also at various times the national vice chairman of the PDP in the south west, deputy national chairman, South and the national deputy chairman of the party. Mr. George got into trouble after his tenure as NPA Chairman was investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2008.

A Lagos High Court on October 26, 2009 sentenced him and five others to 28 years jail term for contract splitting and inflation.

However, the Supreme Court on December 13, 2013 quashed his conviction. Mr. George’s major strength is his experience, having held various top party and government positions.

He also appears to enjoy the support of the founding fathers of the party who prefer an older, more experienced personality, to run the party. However, while, age and experience appear to be an asset, the same may be Mr. George’s undoing. Quite a number of PDP faithful have been clamouring for a younger national chairman in line with the new aspiration of the party.

Many are of the view that the party needs a young and vibrant person that would have the energy to lead the party effectively not just as an opposition party, but as a government-in-waiting.

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