Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) youths in the Southwest have encouraged the former PDP National Vice Chairman in the zone, Olabode George, to contest his conviction for fraud at Supreme Court, saying they are convinced that his conviction was politically motivated.
Also, in a bid to reclaim the Southwest from the All Progressives Congress in future elections, the youth, under the auspices of Concerned PPD Youth, endorsed George as the leader of the party in the zone.
It would be recalled that George was in 2010 jailed by a Lagos State High Court over allegation of fraud at the Nigerian Ports Authority.
The group, in a statement signed by its coordinator, Ayeni Olayinka and Secretary, Akeem Jimoh, after its delegates’ conference in Ado Ekiti on Monday to mobilise the PDP youth in the zone, said the leadership status conferred on George was in appreciation of his efforts for the party since the advent of democracy in 1999.
They said, “We appreciate his efforts and contributions to the PDP in the past 14 years. His diligence and political acumen make us believe that the Southwest will very soon return to the PDP under his leadership.
“Finally, the concerned PDP youth wish to urge the indefatigable Chief
Olabode George to kindly challenge his conviction to a logical conclusion at the Supreme Court because we are convinced beyond reasonable doubts that he was innocent of the offence he was convicted for and his conviction was politically motivated”.
The youth also appealed to the former Vice President Abubakar Atiku and other members of the New PDP to stop polarising the party and embrace the ongoing reconciliation efforts being midwifed by the party elders.
Source: Daily Independent
