Associates of the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, have begun a reconciliatory meeting with the former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olabode George.
Briefing newsmen after the expanded meeting at George’s residence in Lagos on Saturday, the leader of the team, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, said he was satisfied with the discussion, which according to him centred on how to give support to the president-elect.
Olusi explained that as community leaders in Lagos, there is need to come together and give the President-elect moral support.
He said that he first broached the idea of reconciliation with George when he met him on May 1 before the expanded meeting to finalise all the details.
Olusi, who came with 94-year-old Justice Ishola Olorunnimbe (retd); SSA to President Muhammadu Buhari on Sustainable Development Goals, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; and former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Chief Abiodun Ogunleye; and others, said the meeting was a good step towards having a cordial relationship between the President-elect and George.
Responding, George said he was pleasantly surprised when Olusi sent an emissary to him about the inaugural meeting without giving details, which preceded Saturday’s meeting, adding that he ought to be the one going to Olusi, according to customs and tradition.
George, who corroborated Olusi that they had fruitful deliberations about the future of Lagos State and Nigeria, said he had nothing personal against the President-elect, adding that vengeance is of the Lord.
He further stressed that the idea of uniting Lagosians and to also provide leadership for the new breed in politics, irrespective of political affiliations in Lagos, is a welcome development.
On the idea of congratulating the president-elect now or after he has been sworn-in on May 29 as requested by Olusi, he said the only snag is that since there is an ongoing litigation at the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal involving the PDP and the President-elect’s political party, All Progressives Congress, it will not be appropriate for him for now to do so until after the cases have been disposed off.
It will be recalled that George and Tinubu have always been at the opposing side politically since 1999, with George threatening to leave the country if Tinubu eventually becomes the president.
George had criticised Tinubu for his stranglehold on Lagos since 1999.
It is believed the meeting may signal the beginning of cordial relationship between George and Tinubu.
Other dignitaries at the meeting who came to join George included former Deputy Governor, Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele; Chief Onikepo Oshodi; General Tajudeen Olanrewaju; and Gbadebo Dallas.
Freedom Online.
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