Senator Musiliu Obanikoro says the former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, would be irrelevant and unknown if not for former President, Olusegun Obasanjo.

Obanikoro, said this in reaction to George’s claim that the former government erred in making minister of some undeserving people.

George had made the comments at a recent event to commemorate his 70th birthday, stating that the PDP would have performed better in Lagos had the presidency not empowered people who were not committed to the party.

Responding through his New Media Aide, Demola Olarewaju, the former Minister of state for Defence, said Obasanjo regrets associating with George.

“The 70th Birthday of anyone should be a time of reflection, taking stock and gratitude to God not for trading blames, telling lies and falsifying historical truths. For men without honour, the latter path is sadly the chosen route.

“It is sad that one whom if not for the politics of imposition then played by former President Obasanjo would not have amounted to anything meaningful in politics, is now denigrating others. Former President Obasanjo himself eventually rued that association.

“As for the lackey and stooge whose political exposure remains as stunted as a withered hand, the suggestion is that he keeps himself out of public space since he lacks understanding.

“Obanikoro is not anyone’s problem anymore. Having served Nigeria at various levels and in various capacities under three different Presidents, his focus now is on mentoring the next generation into political leadership, a task which had some elders done, their 70th birthday wouldn’t be spent in hiding like a political leper.

“Do not fear the shadow of Obanikoro who is presently on a quest for more academic knowledge to add to his Bachelors and Masters degrees.

“Rather fear those youths of our great party who stand behind Obanikoro and continue to defend Democracy on social media and elsewhere, against an impending tyranny. Infused in them is the same spirit of Courage, Fierce Loyalty and Passion for State and Nation that Obanikoro represents. They understand that politics is a matter of ‘the more, the merrier’ and not an engagement of exclusion.

“To those youths: do not to lose faith in PDP in the face where elders who should be the champions of unity continue to play a game of “who shall we blame?” rather than take responsibility.

“Obanikoro wishes Pa Bode George well on his 70th birthday and looks forward to a more statesmanly political relationship as befitting of true leaders of the PDP in Lagos and Nigeria at large,” the statement read.