National chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, has said the opposition party would displace the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State in the 2023 elections.
Ayu stated this in Abuja yesterday at the PDP National Headquarters when he received the second leg report of the Special Reconciliation Committee on Lagos and Osun PDP headed by Chief Eyitayo Jegede (SAN).
He acknowledged that although PDP’s political outlook in Lagos was dismal before now, the excellent work of the Jegede committee had brightened the electoral fortunes of the party and placed it on the path of victory.
The PDP chairman reiterated his position that the party would sweep the forthcoming polls by winning the presidency and clearing at least 25 governorship seats, including that of Lagos State.
Ayu said, “Since you were inaugurated to help us handle the issue of reconciliation in Lagos and Osun and lately in Ekiti, you have done a very wonderful job. First, initial problems we had in the states you have helped us with interventions and recommendations to overcome some of these difficulties leading to the marvellous victory we have in Osun State.
“This is an achievement worth celebrating. Lagos is again looking very promising. PDP will have a governor in Lagos and several positions, the Senate, House of Assembly and so many other positions and of course, crown it with the massive victory of our presidential candidate. We defeated the Lion of Bourdillon in Osun and we want to finish the good job in his residence in Bourdillon. We can see that happening because we saw him shouting ‘God bless PDP’.
“I do agree with you absolutely that where the leadership of the party is united it is always possible to have possible results, this has been demonstrated in a number of States already.
“The leaders in Lagos, whatever differences they have, they are setting aside these differences, they are coming together for the greater glory of the party, we pray and hope that all leaders in all chapters will come together will work as one family so that by early next year the PDP will be celebrating at least 25 governors and also be having a big victory party in the presidential villa, this will be possible with people like you,” he said.
Earlier, the chairman of the Reconciliation Committee, Chief Eyitayo Jegede, thanked the party for giving him and other members the privilege to serve the party as peace ambassadors.
“The second leg of our report, which we present to you today, is a product of extensive consultations with party stalwarts, stakeholders, party elders and candidates. I am happy to say we got the cooperation and input of all of them.
“When we submitted the first leg of our report, I said Osun State was winnable and doable. I use this opportunity to congratulate the National Working Committee (NWC) and the people of Osun State for the well-deserved victory in the Osun governorship election.
“And thanks to our modest efforts, Lagos looks good too. Lagos PDP is more cohesive today than when we took reconciliation there. And by God’s grace, PDP will sweep Lagos in February next year. Lagos has never had a PDP governor, but we will change it, come 2023,’’ Jegede added.
