Elder statesman and former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has reacted with shock and anger to the reported defection of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Describing the move as both “shocking” and “shameful,” Bode George criticised the governors for abandoning what he called an “organised party” in favour of an “unorganised” one. He called for Oborevwori to resign immediately since he was elected under the PDP platform.
“I am shell-shocked. How can our governors from an organised party defect to an unorganised party like APC, with only two people, Tinubu and Ganduje, dictatorially controlling the party?” George asked in a statement on Wednesday.
George stressed that the PDP backed both Oborevwori and Okowa in their political rise and that their defection represents a betrayal of that support.
“PDP sponsored Oborevwori as the governorship candidate. So, he has to leave office. Attempts to turn Nigeria into a one-party state will fail,” he declared.
He added that the defection, allegedly forced through state coercion, shows the ruling party’s desperation and the erosion of democratic principles.
“The presidency and APC are using instruments of state to coerce PDP governors to defect. They are being threatened,” George said.
Delta State has been governed by the PDP since Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999. George urged Deltans to resist the shift and remain loyal to the PDP.
“Delta is a PDP state from 1999, and it shall remain so. I urge Deltans not to follow Oborevwori to APC,” he stated.
This latest development comes amid growing tension within the PDP, particularly regarding the roles of some high-profile party members. George, in his statement, did not spare other influential figures such as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
He questioned why Wike and Atiku continued to identify with the PDP while allegedly working against it behind the scenes.
“Enough of this embarrassment. As a founding elder of this party, I will not watch while some people openly disrespect the party,” George said.
He referred to Atiku’s recent visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari and Wike’s continued collaboration with APC leadership as signs of disloyalty.
“General Buhari remains my boss, but he is not a member of our party. So, why is Atiku hobnobbing with him politically? Is he not guilty of an anti-party offence already?” George asked.
He further pointed to Wike’s alliance with President Bola Tinubu, especially Tinubu’s directive to Wike to deliver the FCT for APC in the next council elections.
“Wike has been given a direct order to win FCT for APC, and he still claims to be a member of PDP. Are people now shameless politically that they cannot be principled?” George added.
George did not hold back in blaming the PDP leadership for what he described as a failure to maintain order and discipline in the party.
“Where is the leadership of our party? Why are they tolerating Atiku and Wike? Why are they allowing the duo to continue to embarrass our party publicly?” he asked.
He expressed frustration over what he perceives as a lack of decisive action from the national leadership of the PDP, urging them to act quickly to protect the party’s integrity.
“This is the time for the national leadership of PDP to take decisive steps to save our great party,” he said.
According to George, Wike is positioning himself strategically within the PDP to influence the 2027 general elections in favour of President Tinubu. He warned that the party cannot allow such internal sabotage.
“Wike’s case is very clear to everybody. He wants to be in the good books of Tinubu while working against our party,” George said.
He called on Wike to formally leave the party, claiming that the former Rivers governor is doing more harm than good by staying.
“If there is any iota of shame left in him, this is the time for him to leave our party,” he said.
Bode George’s statement reflects growing concerns about the stability and future of the PDP ahead of the 2027 elections. He believes that internal divisions, if not addressed urgently, could severely damage the party’s chances.
“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,” George said.
He appealed to other elders within the PDP to intervene and prevent further defections, stressing that the party must remain a beacon of hope for Nigerians suffering under current national policies.
“Nigerians are going through a lot, and they are waiting for PDP to alleviate their suffering in 2027,” he concluded.
The PDP has faced significant internal wrangling since losing the 2023 presidential election to Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC. Accusations of betrayal, weak leadership, and anti-party activities have dogged key figures within the party.
While Wike has maintained a strong presence in Abuja politics, his open alignment with the ruling APC has been a sore point for many party loyalists. Atiku, meanwhile, continues to play a prominent role within the PDP, though his recent political moves have raised eyebrows.
