…Says PDP leadership must act now or risk total collapse
Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has called on the national leadership of the party to immediately sanction former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for alleged anti-party activities.
George, a founding member and elder statesman of the PDP, said the party is being ridiculed by the open alignment of both Atiku and Wike with rival political interests, warning that their actions threaten the survival of the party.
In a strongly-worded statement on Monday, George expressed deep frustration over what he described as a blatant disregard for party loyalty and discipline.
“What exactly is going on? Anybody who is tired of PDP should leave and join another party. Enough of this embarrassment,” he said. “As a founding elder of this party, I will not watch while some people openly disrespect the party. It is impossible.”
George particularly condemned Atiku’s recent visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna, questioning the motive behind the political engagement with a non-party member.
“General Buhari remains my boss, but he is not a member of our party. So, why is Atiku hobnobbing with him politically? Is that not an anti-party offence?” George queried.
He also accused Wike of openly aligning with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing his compliance with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to deliver the FCT to the APC during 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 so shameless politically that they cannot be principled?” George asked. “Where is the leadership of our party? Why are they tolerating this?”
The PDP chieftain further alleged that some governors within the party are now endorsing President Tinubu’s re-election bid for 2027 — a move he described as “utterly disgraceful.”
He warned that unless decisive steps are taken, the PDP risks being undermined from within.
“This is the time for the national leadership of PDP to take decisive steps to save our great party. The moment we remove the liabilities in our party, we will be in a formidable position to take over power in 2027,” he stated.
On Wike’s role in the political tension in Rivers State, George accused the former governor of behaving as though he were above the party and democratic norms.
“He organises live interviews on national television where he constantly attacks the PDP. If there is any iota of shame left in him, this is the time to leave our party.”
George emphasized that no individual is bigger than the party and reiterated his call for Atiku and Wike to be held accountable.
“If Atiku is planning a coalition for 2027, he should do that outside the PDP structure. You cannot be within and working against the party. We will never allow that,” he said.
Switching focus to the economy, George urged President Tinubu to create a special intervention fund, where bank managing directors would contribute at least ₦20 billion each annually to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.
He decried the lavish lifestyle of bank executives, alleging insider abuse and fraudulent practices as sources of their wealth.
“Our bank MDs not only charter private jets but also own them. Where are they getting the money? The government must look into this,” he said.
He also criticized the Federal Government’s declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State, describing it as unjustified and authoritarian.
“No rat, lizard, or cockroach was killed, yet you declared emergency rule and suspended an elected governor. That is not how power should be used.”
George concluded by urging former presidents and national leaders to speak up, warning that Nigeria is on the brink of collapse.
“Insurrection, insurgency, kidnappings, killings, and corruption have taken over. The nation is drifting. We can’t continue this way,” he warned.
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