Chief Bode George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has demanded the expulsion of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, from the party. George’s call comes after Wike’s controversial decision to revoke the land allocated to the PDP national secretariat in Abuja. The move, according to George, constitutes an open act of aggression against the party and has crossed the red line, making Wike’s continued membership in the PDP untenable.
George, who has been a prominent figure in Nigerian politics for decades, made his views known during an interview with Arise News on Friday. He strongly criticized Wike’s actions, stating that they symbolized an open declaration of war against the PDP, a party he once served as a member.
During the interview, George did not mince words, asserting that Wike’s revocation of the PDP’s national secretariat land was an unforgivable betrayal. “I’m saying he has crossed the red line. Once you cross the red line, what are you looking for? So what is he still doing there then?” George asked rhetorically, highlighting the gravity of Wike’s decision to take such a drastic step against the party.
George likened Wike’s actions to a son taking over his father’s house, implying that the Minister’s move to revoke the land was akin to betraying the very foundation of the party that once supported him. “If you have gone to take over your father’s house, why do you think he is still a man? Why do you think he is still a member of the party?” George queried, emphasizing that Wike’s actions had placed him outside the bounds of the PDP.
The former PDP leader did not stop at simply criticizing Wike’s actions. He also directed his anger at the PDP leadership, urging them to take immediate action. George said it would be a “height of shame and irresponsibility” for the party’s leadership to remain silent in the face of such an open betrayal. He called for a meeting of the party’s leadership, including the Board of Trustees, to address the issue and take a firm stance against Wike.
“No, no, no. The party, you know, these things are just breaking. The party has to meet. We have to meet the leaders, the members of the board of trustees. We own the party in trust for the members of the party,” George said, emphasizing the importance of the PDP leadership taking decisive action to protect the party’s integrity.
George expressed his firm belief that Wike’s actions had not only hurt the PDP but had also led to a situation where the party needed to show strength and unity in the face of such betrayal. He argued that failing to expel Wike would send a message of weakness to both party members and the public.
“If a young man has done what he did to say they should revoke the party secretariat of our party (PDP), he has crossed the red line. He has declared an open war. And it’s such a shame. We must be irresponsible as leaders and elders if we don’t take action,” George stated, highlighting the importance of accountability and leadership in protecting the party’s future.
In addition to addressing the issue with Wike, George also turned his attention to the PDP’s National Disciplinary Committee, which he accused of being biased in favor of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. George claimed that the committee, led by Chief Tom Ikimi, was structured in such a way that it favored Atiku, making it impossible for him to serve on the panel.
“The National Disciplinary Committee, headed by former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi, yes, is on Atiku Abubakar’s side. The secretary of that same committee, Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, is on Atiku’s side, and they said I should come and be a member. I said, no, I cannot,” George revealed during the interview.
He went on to explain that his refusal to join the committee was based on both personal and structural reasons. “First of all, Tom met me at this party. I cannot serve under him. Then secondly, the way the thing was structured was warped. So where do you start?” George explained, underscoring his belief that the committee was not impartial and had been designed to favor certain factions within the party.
George also spoke about the recent Supreme Court ruling that reinstated Samuel Anyanwu as the PDP National Secretary. He acknowledged that the party had no choice but to accept the judgment and move forward. “Now I’m told that there was a judgment this morning by the Supreme Court again that I am who should come back. We have no qualms. We have nothing to do. We can’t appeal to anybody anymore now. We should go back,” George said, signaling his respect for the court’s decision, even though he had hoped for a different outcome.
This ruling comes at a time when the PDP is still grappling with internal divisions and struggles for control. The legal battle over the National Secretary’s position has been a point of contention within the party, but George’s comments suggest that he is ready to move beyond the court’s verdict and focus on the future of the party.
Looking ahead, George highlighted the importance of the PDP national convention, which is expected to take place between October and November of this year. He stressed that the convention would play a pivotal role in shaping the party’s direction and resolving some of the ongoing crises that have plagued it in recent months.
“The PDP national convention, expected between October and November, will play a crucial role in determining the party’s direction amid the ongoing crisis,” George noted, signaling that the convention would be a critical moment for the party to address its leadership challenges and chart a path forward.
