Former Deputy National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olabode George regains freedom today after serving out two years imprisonment alongside four others for contract-splitting when he was Chairman of Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA. Chief Bode George is expected to be released by 10am today to the waiting arms of top party chieftains and family members at the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prisons.
Preparations for his release reached its peak yesterday with a communion service held in his honour by some prison fellowship groups. On Thursday, a similar service was held with some men of God from his church who were in the Kirikiri prison to also fellowship with him.
The service which was part of the programmes lined up to mark the completion of George’s prison terms was organized at about 1.15 pm by officiating ministers of God who thanked God for sparing the lives of the politician and his co-convicts while serving their jail terms in the prison.
On the same day, the former Governor of Bauchi state, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, joined others at the prison to greet the politician. Also, Saturday Vanguard gathered that some Igbo chiefs who have sympathy for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP also visited him, pledging their support for his party.
In his sermon, the leader of the team, who our source preferred not to be mentioned was quoted to have admonished Chief Bode George and his co-convicts to consider their coming to the prison as part of their tribulations on the surface of the earth, adding, they should use their experiences as lesson for them to apply at the larger society.
Also, they were asked not to visit vengeance on anybody,“since vengeance belongs to God.”
It was said the service which was brief in nature was said to have included praise worship and prayers session for the other inmates as well as the nation. It was also gathered that there will be final valedictory program to be organized by the inmates who Saturday Vanguard gathered will miss the goodwill from the politician and the other convicted members of the former Board of the Nigerian Ports Authority convicted by Justice Joseph Oyewole of the Ikeja High Court in 2009.
Saturday Vanguard reported last week that a grand reception awaits him as he breathes the air of freedom today. The top PDP chieftain on release would drive in a convoy of fanfare from the prison yard to the Cathedral Church Marina , Lagos where a Thanksgiving Service would hold from 12.30pm in his honour. From there, George will drive to his office in Ikoyi along Lugard Avenue to address party supporters and friends.
According to sources that spoke to Saturday Vanguard, top chieftains of the party from Abuja and other parts of the federation would be in Lagos to receive him in a grand reception. A source also revealed that George would have a discreet meeting with Jonathan at an undisclosed location.
Our source said President Jonathan is being expected in Lagos today to attend a function of Igbo PDP group and could meet George in a discreet location
The PDP ’s presidential campaign which was planned for Tuesday, March 1, Saturday Vanguard learnt would be shifted by a day to allow George get some rest and officially join the train to welcome the President to Lagos.
PDP Lagos has expressed optimism that Bode George’s return would boost the chances of the PDP in Lagos State as well as the morale of members. He is also expected to bear the responsibility of leading the PDP’s campaign in Lagos State. Our source is confident that his return would change the political fortunes of PDP in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Lagos.
Already the Action Congress of Nigeria is alleged to be very uncomfortable with a grand reception being planned by PDP for George and is alleging plans by PDP to cause problems through its planned carnival. However, the PDP has refuted the allegation of any plan to cause problem and accused ACN of planning to disrupt its programme today.
The Vanguard
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