Olabode George, a former Deputy National Chairman and founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike to step down from the party immediately because of actions that are considered to be harming the party’s unity and reputation.
George, in a strongly worded statement, voiced his displeasure with what he called “blatant fraternization” between the two and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), pointing out that their actions continue to damage the PDP’s reputation.
Following the party’s internal crisis, George questioned why notable individuals like Atiku and Wike continued to support the opposition while remaining PDP members.
“What exactly is going on?” he asked. Leave the PDP and join another party if you’re sick of it. Let’s get over this humiliation. As one of this party’s founding elders, I will not stand by and watch as some openly disparage the party. It cannot be done.
“General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) remains my boss but he is not a member of our party,” George said, explicitly criticizing Atiku’s recent visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna. What is the reason for Atiku’s political scheming? Does he not already have an anti-party offense?
He also brought up a public remark made by President Bola Tinubu, in which Tinubu allegedly instructed Wike to guarantee an APC win in the elections for the FCT council.
George remarked, “President Bola Tinubu told Wike the other day that the APC must win the FCT council election, and he agreed.”
He went on to criticize Wike’s statement, saying, “Wike has been directly ordered to win FCT for APC and he still claims to be a member of PDP.” Have individuals become so politically shameless that they lack moral integrity? Where’s our party’s leadership? Why do they put up with Wike and Atiku? Why do they permit the pair to publicly humiliate our party?
With some governors now allegedly supporting Tinubu’s possible reelection campaign, George cautioned that the issue is becoming more complicated. “Now, a few governors are joining them in supporting Tinubu’s 2027 reelection. What precisely is happening in our party, may I ask again? Have the dogs lost their sense of discipline? Has everything fallen apart altogether? Is sanity now taking over how we conduct the party?
In contrast to what he described as the APC’s one-man regime, he insisted that the PDP is still Nigeria’s only organized and functional political party, saying, “Nigerians are yearning for change, which only the PDP can offer because ours is the only organized party.” Who else in APC NWC do you know besides Ganduje? The Villa controls APC, which is a one-man operation.
“This is the time for the national leadership of PDP to take decisive steps to save our great party,” George said, urging the party’s leadership to take quick action.
“As a founding member of our party and an elder statesman, I call on other elders of our party to call Atiku and Wike to order, as the two are not bigger than the PDP,” he added.
George declared that he would not keep quiet: “They can’t keep hanging out with our party’s opponents and expect me to say nothing. Regardless of whose ox gets gored, the truth must always be spoken.
“Now is the time to save our party from those undermining PDP from within,” he said, highlighting the necessity of ridding the party of internal saboteurs.
George made the following statement in reference to Atiku’s purported future political plans: “If Atiku is planning how to establish a coalition with others because of 2027, he should do so outside the structure of our party. It is impossible to be inside this party’s interests and work against them. We are not going to permit that.
Regarding Wike, he stated: “Everyone can clearly see Wike’s case.” He works against our party because he wants to be liked by Tinubu. Although he is an adult and is aware of what is best for him politically, you cannot claim to be a member of the PDP while working against the party’s interests.
He went on: “A lot of people are unaware that Wike’s actions in Rivers, which resulted in the declaration of an emergency rule on March 18, are anti-party.”
As though he were the president, he arranges live interviews with television stations and disparages the PDP in the process. He should leave our party now if he still has any guilt.
He intends to keep pushing for the president’s reelection within the party.
Since the party is the most powerful entity, now is the moment for our party leadership to exercise their authority.
George came to the conclusion that the PDP would become stronger if internal dissidents were expelled: “As an opposition party, we will be in a formidable position, once we remove the liabilities in our party, to take over power from APC at the federal level in 2027.”
Bode George on the Nation’s Situation
He then addressed national concerns, criticizing the APC’s economic and security policies, saying, “Nigerians are suffering greatly as a result of the APC’s anti-people policies, and they are waiting for the PDP to ease their suffering in 2027.”
“Insurrection, insurgency, kidnappings, killings, and corruption have taken over the land,” George said in reference to the widespread insecurity. What what is Tinubu doing in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief to buck this troubling trend?
Does it make sense the way people are dying in Plateau and Benue? Now is the moment for opinion leaders and previous presidents to speak out against the drifting nation. We cannot go on in this manner.
In addition, he questioned bank CEOs about their role in the nation’s financial crisis, stating that they ought to support the general welfare: “There is what is called round-tripping.” Additionally, there are bogus charges, covert charges, and insider abuse. Nigerians are the intended audience for all of these. United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, and other countries do not have bank MDs flying in private planes every other day.
Here, our Bank MDs own their own aircraft in addition to chartering private ones. Where do they find the funds to sustain this kind of lifestyle and luxury?
