Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has criticized the handling of the leadership crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly, describing it as an embarrassment to democracy.
In an interview, George contrasted the governance style of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with that of the PDP, arguing that while his party follows structured procedures, APC operates more like a “private enterprise” controlled by a single individual.
George particularly condemned the reinstatement of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker after Mojisola Meranda’s resignation, questioning the legitimacy of the process.
He accused APC of sidelining democratic norms, stating, “If they are deceiving themselves, they cannot deceive the general public. If a Speaker is accused of financial misconduct and other inappropriate activities, shouldn’t those allegations be addressed before reinstatement?”
He further argued that PDP has a more democratic internal structure, ensuring that leadership issues are resolved through due process. “Our party has procedures to reassure the public that we are better managers when challenged. PDP is not a private enterprise; there are rules to follow,” he stated.
In contrast, he claimed that APC is controlled by a single political godfather who dictates decisions without input from the people. “APC is not a proper political party but a congregation of strange bedfellows. It is run like a military organization where orders are issued from the top without consultation,” he said.
George also criticized the role of external political figures, such as former Governors Bisi Akande and Segun Osoba, who were involved in resolving the crisis but were not directly from Lagos State.
He questioned the APC’s national structure, asking, “Apart from Ganduje parading himself as chairman, who is the National Secretary of APC? Who is the National Organizing Secretary? Where is their Exco?”
Touching on the broader implications of the crisis, George blamed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for enabling what he described as a flawed electoral system that allows APC to manipulate outcomes. He called for a complete overhaul of INEC to restore credibility to Nigeria’s democracy.
Comparing the selection processes within both parties, George suggested that PDP’s system allows for fair competition, while APC relies on political favoritism. “How did Meranda get her ticket in the first place? Did she truly win a primary, or was she handpicked? In PDP, you must follow due process,” he asserted.
He concluded by urging indigenous Lagosians to actively participate in politics rather than complain from the sidelines, emphasizing that power is transient and that change can only come through active engagement in the political process.
