The Lagos PDP has established a Presidential Campaign Committee.

In Lagos State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) inaugurated a 103-member campaign committee on Friday to mobilize votes for the party ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Mr Mustapha Okandeji, the party’s Assistant Legal Adviser, who inaugurated the committee in Ikeja, urged them to work night and day to return the party to power.

Okandeji urged the committee to follow the party’s constitution as well as applicable electoral laws and guidelines.

He also urged them to support the Peoples Democratic Party’s Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and his running mate, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa.

Mr Adedeji Doherty, Chairman of the committee, stated that it was time for the party to reclaim federal power as well as control of Lagos state.

Doherty, who described the upcoming election as another difficult season for the party, stated that the PDP had been kept out of central government for the past seven and a half years.

“We need to work very hard in conjunction with other PDP state chapters to return our party to power at the federal level, for the good of our country and the Nigerian people.

“The challenge before us today, therefore, is to work hard and reverse the electoral misfortunes that I have called your attention to,” Doherty said.

He believes that the Lagos state chapter must make a difference and win the state for the PDP.

He stated that the inauguration of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) and the Presidential Campaign Management Committee (PCMC) would do the party proud.

Doherty expressed the committee’s determination to galvanize the party in order to win all of the state’s elections.

He promised to collaborate with the party’s governorship candidate, Dr Abdul-Azeez Adediran (Jandor), who will serve as Vice Chairman on the council.

He also promised to collaborate with PCMC’s State Director, Chief Atolagbe Animashaun, and other credible and experienced leaders to mobilize votes for the PDP.

The chairman stated that the committee would not be intimidated by the ruling party’s activities, stating that the opposition party would not engage in violence but would instead focus on voter outreach.

He stated that the PDP was providing the best Presidential/Vice Presidential candidate combinations to Lagos residents in 2023.

Abubakar and Okowa, he claims, are pan-Nigerians who are experienced, resourceful, and healthy.

“I make bold to say they are way ahead of anyone being paraded by the other parties, and will get to work immediately they become elected at the Feb. 25, 2023 general elections.

“We make a clarion call to the people of Lagos State today that the time has come to free themselves from the shackles.

“It is time to say “enough is enough” to the APC by voting for all the candidates of the PDP in the 2023 elections.

“Let me, on behalf of myself and my colleagues, appeal to all leaders and members to close ranks and come together for the great task at hand,” Doherty said.

According to him, it is an undeniable fact that party leaders have hurt each other in some way.

“Some have suffered certain losses, the consequences of which we are yet to totally put behind us,” Doherty said.

He stated that the party leadership shared everyone’s pain and urged all disgruntled members, including aspirants in court, to make more sacrifices for the party.

“I know that for some of us who feel badly hurt, it is not an easy option considering the far length that you’ve gone, but I say with my head bowed that you can do it to show greater love for our party,” he said.

Also speaking, the PDP’s governorship candidate, Adedeji, urged all disgruntled party members to shield their swords and work for the party’s victory at the polls.

“It is time for the party to move forward,” he said.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the campaign council is assisted by 18 directorates in the campaign committee, each led by a deputy director.

Media and Publicity (Oluseun Soyinka), Field Operations (David Vaughan), Research and Strategy (Rahman Owokoniran), and Volunteer Groups are among the directorates and their respective heads.

Finance (Alaketu Adedoyin), Election Management (Capt. Olatunji Shelle), and Religious/Cultural Engagement were also inaugurated.

Documentation/Reporting (Dr Adetokunbo Pearse), ICT/Situation Room (Niyi Adams), and Training were among the others.

Non-Yoruba Speaking-South East (Jude Obiekwe), Non-Yoruba Speaking-South South (Odili Ofili), and Non-Yoruba Speaking-Arewa were also inaugurated.

Election Management-Ikeja Division (Sunday Olaifa), Election Management-Lagos Division (Tolani Animashaun), and Election Management-Epe Division were also on the committees.

Election Management-Ikorodu Division (Niyi Sotomiwa) and Election Management-Badagry Division were the others.

Members of the committees included members of the party’s state executive council and other state party leaders.

Jimi Agbaje, Ade Dosunmu, Philip Aivoji, Gomez Adewale, Abimbola Ogunkelu, Dapo Sarumi, Bayo Williams, and Wahab Owokoniran were among the notable leaders on the list.

Tanwa Olusi, Fatia Shodimu, Wellington Bankole, Tajudeen Obasa, Sola Osolana, Setonji Koshoedo, and Idowu Akinsanya were among those who attended Otgers.

For more updates, always visit dailygam.com