GROUP COMMENDS BODE GEORGE FOR JONATHAN'S VICTORY IN LAGOS

A GROUP, the Lagos Collectives, yesterday linked the victory of President Goodluck Jonathan in last Saturday's election in Lagos State to the former Deputy Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George.

The chairman of the group, Prof. Tejumade Akitoye-Rhodes, said all members of the PDP must salute Geoege, 'who has continued to carry the banner of the restoration of the Lagosians' heritage.'

Akitoye-Rhodes, in a statement, said: 'We at Lagos Collectives totally reject the spurious claim of Bola Tinubu that he was somehow involved in Jonathan's victory in Lagos State. The unprecedented victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State during the presidential election last Saturday is surely more than a personal victory for President Goodluck Jonathan. '

'It is indeed a celebration of the significance and worth of Chief Olabode George in Lagos State. Despite his 18 months absence from the political scene, the former Deputy Chairman of the PDP was still able to cobble the disparate elements of the party together and galvanise it towards last Saturday's historic victory for PDP. This is the first time PDP will win in Lagos State since 1999.

The statement added that George's success was indeed a testimony of 'a relentless grassroots mobilisation, an untiring will and energy to listen, to pacify and heal the broken places within the fold of the party. George's success last Saturday is even more significant given the fact that it was achieved alone…'

The group urged George to continue to dedicate himself to the well-being of Lagosians and Nigerians in general.