Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has said that Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, will not be able to defeat Bola Tinubu, the incumbent president, in the 2027 presidential election without the support of the PDP.
George, a seasoned political figure, expressed his concerns during a recent interview, asserting that the Labour Party, despite its popular appeal in the 2023 elections, lacks the necessary national structure to compete with the All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling party. He pointed out that only the PDP has the national network, the political machinery, and the widespread support to successfully challenge the APC in the next presidential election.
According to George, although Peter Obi garnered significant support in the 2023 elections, especially from young Nigerians and those disillusioned with the major political parties, the Labour Party still does not have the national structure needed to compete with the APC. He argued that Obi’s political movement, while powerful in its appeal, does not yet possess the depth and reach across the country that the PDP holds.
“The Labour Party lacks the national structure to withstand Bola Tinubu and the APC in 2027,” George said. “The only party that has the strength, the taproot, and support to defeat the APC is the PDP. Obi has done well, but if he wants to win in 2027, he needs the backing of the PDP.”
This statement is a clear indication of George’s belief that the PDP is the only opposition party capable of challenging the APC’s dominance. He stressed that for the Labour Party to succeed in the 2027 election, it will require the political weight of the PDP, which remains one of the most organised and influential political parties in the country.
While George pointed out the necessity of the PDP’s support for the 2027 election, he also warned that the party’s leaders must ensure fairness, justice, and equity within its ranks to make this possible. He made it clear that any attempt to undermine the principles of fairness within the party would only weaken its chances of defeating the APC.
The former PDP leader called on the party’s leadership to address internal divisions and ensure that all members are treated equitably. According to George, if the PDP is to present a united front against Tinubu in 2027, it must ensure that justice prevails in its decision-making processes, especially regarding presidential primaries and party leadership roles.
He also highlighted that the party should not allow any individual to dominate or hijack the political processes within the PDP. This, he believes, would ensure that the party remains strong, united, and capable of mounting a credible challenge to the APC in the next presidential race.
“I do not believe Tinubu’s re-election will be as easy as some people assume. He can be defeated in 2027, but only if PDP leaders do the right thing by ensuring fairness, justice, and equity,” he said. His comments suggest that George is confident in the PDP’s ability to challenge Tinubu, but only if the party leaders come together and work for the good of the nation.
George did not stop at critiquing the PDP; he also made a passionate appeal to Nyesom Wike, the former governor of Rivers State, who has been at odds with the party following his departure after the 2023 elections. Wike, a former ally of the PDP, has been publicly critical of the party’s leadership, particularly following the fallout from the party’s presidential primaries and the subsequent 2023 general elections.
George called on Wike to reconsider his stance and work towards the unity of the party for the greater good of Nigeria. He highlighted that the country’s political landscape could benefit from collaboration and unity within the opposition parties to challenge the ruling APC, and Wike’s role, according to George, could be critical in that process.
“I appeal to Wike to reconsider his position and join hands with us in rebuilding Nigeria,” George said. “No one can do this alone, but together, we can rebuild the nation and provide the leadership Nigerians deserve.”
In addition to his comments on the 2027 elections, Bode George also spoke out against the federal government’s increasing interference in state politics. According to George, this intervention could lead to greater instability and insecurity across the country. He warned that when the federal government excessively involves itself in the affairs of state governments, it undermines the principle of federalism and creates division.
“We are heading towards national insecurity if we continue to allow the federal government to meddle in state politics,” he said. “This is a dangerous path, and it must be addressed before it becomes a crisis.”
George’s statement is a response to what many political observers see as growing concerns about the federal government’s influence on state-level politics, especially in the aftermath of the 2023 elections. There have been growing accusations that the ruling party has been using state resources and influence to control political outcomes in states governed by opposition parties.
