George, however, acknowledged that the crisis within the PDP might have forced Governor Adeleke’s hasty departure.
By Kehinde Okeowo
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, has labeled the recent exit of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, from the main opposition party as a “desperate survival move.”
Adeleke on Tuesday announced that he was leaving the PDP, citing the ongoing crisis within the party as his reason for departure.
Reacting to the decision while addressing newsmen in Lagos, George noted that the crisis within the party might have forced the governor’s hasty exit.
He added that lack of clarity about which faction of the party’s leadership was in charge could have also contributed to Adeleke’s “desperate move.”
While admitting that the development was troubling, he noted it is within the governor’s right to leave the party, adding that such development sometimes makes a party stronger.
“As a life member of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), I maintain without ambiguity: anyone wishing to leave the party is free to do so. A political party, like a tree, grows stronger when unhealthy branches fall away,” the elder statesman said.
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Also speaking on the decision of Governor Adeleke to quit the PDP, the factional national chairman of the party, Kabiru Turaki, stated that he is yet to receive any formal communication to that effect.
While addressing journalists after the National Working Committee (NWC) meeting in Abuja, Turaki, like George acknowledged that Adeleke is constitutionally entitled to either stay or leave the party.
He, however, added that the PDP only became aware of Adeleke’s resignation through media reports and has yet to receive an official notice from the governor.
“We have seen online a letter said to be from him resigning from our party, but I tell you that we have not, up to this moment, received any formal indication that he has left,” Turaki said.
The factional chairman further noted that Adeleke’s name is still listed among the aspirants vying for the Osun governorship ticket.
He went on to say the party would depend on reports from its officials at the primary to ascertain whether the governor has formally withdrawn or is still participating in the contest.
“As far as we are concerned, even if the letter circulating online is genuine, Governor Adeleke, like any Nigerian, has the freedom to associate as he wishes,” Turaki said.
