Prominent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) elder statesman, Chief Olabode George, has called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to immediately resign from the party, accusing them of disloyalty and activities that undermine the PDP’s core values.
In a strongly worded statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday, the former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP expressed deep concern over what he described as “open romance” between Atiku, Wike, and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). According to George, the actions of both men have become a source of embarrassment to the PDP, which he said must be urgently addressed to save the party from further damage.
“The party is being embarrassed by the open display of affinity by the duo to the All Progressives Congress (APC),” George said. “Anybody who is tired of the PDP should leave and join another party. Enough of this embarrassment.”
George, a founding member of the PDP and influential voice within the party, was visibly upset about recent political developments involving the two prominent party chieftains. He pointed to Atiku’s recent visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna and reports of PDP governors and leaders publicly endorsing President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
George specifically accused Atiku and Wike of betraying the PDP by associating closely with opposition figures and working against the party’s interests. He argued that any coalition plans aimed at removing President Tinubu in 2027, if not done within the PDP framework, amounted to sabotage.
“You cannot be within and be working against the interest of this party. We will never allow that,” George said, stressing that no individual is bigger than the PDP. “This is the time for our party leadership to wield the big stick because nobody is more powerful than the party.”
He said that the PDP is Nigeria’s only truly organised and national party, capable of addressing the country’s challenges and restoring hope. But for it to fulfil that mission, the party must cleanse itself of what he called “internal saboteurs.”
“As a founding elder of this party, I will not watch while some people openly disrespect the party. It is impossible,” he declared.
Chief George’s statement is seen as a direct challenge to the PDP’s national leadership, which he urged to act swiftly to protect the party from internal decay. He called on other elder statesmen within the party to rise to the occasion and confront Atiku and Wike, insisting that the duo must be held accountable for their actions.
“This is the time for the national leadership of PDP to take decisive steps to save our great party,” he said. “The moment we remove the liabilities in our party, we will be in a formidable position, as an opposition party, to take over power from APC at the federal level in 2027.”
He added that the truth must always be told, “no matter whose ox is gored,” suggesting that political loyalty and integrity must be restored in the PDP if it is to regain the trust of Nigerians.
In addition to his comments on party politics, Bode George also addressed the current economic challenges facing the country. He urged President Tinubu to create a special intervention fund, where bank managing directors (MDs) would be mandated to contribute at least N20 billion each annually to support poor and struggling Nigerians.
He claimed that Nigerian banks have profited massively at the expense of ordinary citizens through practices such as “round-tripping, insider abuse, and hidden charges.” George accused the banks of contributing to Nigeria’s economic woes and said their executives live in outrageous luxury compared to their counterparts in developed countries.
“You can’t see a bank MD in the U.S., U.K., Canada, or Germany using private jets every other day. Here, our Bank MDs not only charter private jets, but they own them,” he stated. “Where are they getting the money from to maintain this type of lifestyle?”
According to George, the federal government should investigate these financial institutions and hold them accountable for their role in the economic hardship currently facing millions of Nigerians.
Chief George concluded his statement by urging President Tinubu to take bolder steps in tackling insecurity, reviving the economy, and delivering good governance. He maintained that for any meaningful change to occur, both political and financial institutions must undergo reform.
While Atiku Abubakar and Nyesom Wike are yet to respond to George’s statements, political observers say the PDP now faces a critical moment. The party has struggled with internal divisions, especially since the fallout from the 2023 general elections, where Atiku lost to Bola Tinubu of the APC.
Wike, a powerful force within the PDP and former governor of Rivers State, was controversially appointed as FCT Minister by President Tinubu, a move that deepened rifts within the PDP. His close ties to the APC-led government have since sparked debates over where his political allegiance truly lies.
With the 2027 elections on the horizon, many believe the PDP must quickly resolve its internal crisis or risk fading into irrelevance. Chief George’s open challenge to top figures like Atiku and Wike has now set the stage for what could be a major realignment within Nigeria’s political landscape.
