Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has strongly dismissed claims that the party’s structure has collapsed in Lagos State and across Nigeria, describing such assertions as “absolutely nonsensical.”
Speaking to journalists on Monday after a PDP stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos, George likened the party’s resilience to the deep-rooted strength of an Iroko or Lebanon oak tree, stating that PDP remains firmly established despite recent internal challenges.
His remarks come in the wake of high-profile defections from the Lagos chapter of the PDP, including its 2023 governorship candidate, Dr. Abdul-Azeez Adediran (Jandor), and the party’s spokesman, Alhaji Hakeem Amode. The defectors announced their move to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), claiming that the PDP’s structure in Lagos had collapsed into the APC.
George, however, vehemently rejected this narrative, accusing the defectors of spreading falsehoods and lacking real political influence. “It is absolutely nonsensical to say the PDP structure in Lagos State has collapsed into APC,” he said. “Who are these people in PDP? Mere caricatures.”
He described their defection as inconsequential and criticised a previous endorsement of Jandor by a respected PDP elder, calling it a regrettable misstep.
“All organisations go through challenging times,” George noted, “but the PDP is deeply rooted nationwide. This party is an Iroko tree—no matter the storm, it will stand.”
George also acknowledged internal issues within the PDP but maintained that the crisis was solvable. He emphasised that the party had learned valuable lessons from its performance in the 2023 general elections and vowed that there would be no more imposition of candidates in future polls.
“We are determined that anyone contesting must go through the people. From now on, no more ‘Baba says’ imposition,” he said.
Turning to national issues, George criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s handling of the political crisis in Rivers State, particularly the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the imposition of an emergency framework in the state.
He warned that Tinubu’s request to the National Assembly to approve appointments for the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), along with other key state boards and commissions, could undermine democratic principles.
“This move raises serious concerns about power concentration and weakens democratic institutions,” George stated. “The President must not empower the Rivers Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), to conduct council elections or make key appointments.”
He called on Tinubu to respect the will of the people and restore Governor Fubara to office, warning that any attempt to override democratic structures could destabilise the already fragile political climate in Rivers and other volatile regions.
George urged the federal government to focus on pressing national challenges such as insecurity, hunger, unemployment, and social vices instead of deepening political tensions.
The PDP stakeholders’ meeting was attended by several party leaders, including Senator Motorola Bucknor, Chief Aduke Maina, Dr. Niran Adeniji, Dr. Layi Ogunbambi, Dr. Amos Fawole, and Captain Tunji Shelle (Rtd.). Others included Dr. Seye O’Dairo, Alhaji Ismail Abiola, Alhaji Akorode Imam, Alhaja Babs Olorunkemi, Alhaja Tanwa Olusi, Elder John Agbaje, and Chief Ahmed Alashe, along with members of the PDP Local Government Area Chairmen Forum.
The gathering reaffirmed the party’s commitment to rebuilding and remaining a formidable force in Nigeria’s political landscape.
