Bode George, a former deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, says he is “very disappointed” with the insistence of the Lagos State governorship candidate of the PDP in the 2015 election, Jimi Agbaje, not to step down for him over the national chairmanship contest of the party.
Chief George, who supported Agbaje during the governorship election, said he expected that Agbaje would do the same for him on his ambition to become the next chairman of the PDP.
Speaking to Punch on Friday, August 12, 2016, George said the support he gave to Agbaje during the governorship election was one of the causes of the crisis in the Lagos State chapter of the PDP.
“I am very disappointed but not angry. Vengeance is not mine, it is God’s. I want to quote the book of Ecclesiastics, which says that there is a season for everything. Whatever you sow in your lifetime, you will reap,” George said.
“Our Lord Jesus Christ said that one of his disciples would betray him. The disciples started looking round. Judas Iscariot, the traitor, has been around from time immemorial. It’s a shame. That is his (Agbaje’s) choice. I just pray that God would continue to direct this country. God has told us that it is only Him we can trust, not human beings.”
George added, “Agbaje knows what is right. My advice is that he should step down. He should obey his elders. As a Christian, we should have the fear of God. If he insists on contesting, I cannot stop him. Let the decision be made by the delegates at the convention.”
Reacting in an interview with the Punch on Saturday, August 13, 2016, Agbaje said he had great respect for George.
Agbaje, who spoke through his spokesperson, Mr. Felix Oboagwina, said he was not a betrayer as being claimed, adding that he decided to contest the election in the national interest.
“For Jimi Agbaje, the national chairmanship position was never his ambition. He never aspired to it. The stakeholders decided that they needed someone who would not have to deal with a reputation crisis and they chose Agbaje,” he said.
“Agbaje never betrayed Chief Bode George. He is not a betrayer. He has all the respect for George but this is beyond true allies; this is beyond Lagos State. He is contesting in the national interest. The party has created a level playing field. Let the best man win.”
