Africa
| Domestic Politics
Nigeria
Chief Bode George of PDP warns members against aligning with APC ahead of 2027 elections
Chinedu Bruce
Nov 20, 2024
Former Deputy National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George
Former Deputy National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has raised concerns about disloyal members within the party reportedly working with the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, George highlighted the need for unity, warning that divisions could jeopardize the PDP’s future. He advised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to approach his presidential ambition cautiously, urging him not to let desperation overshadow the party’s collective goals.
“All is not well with our party. In fact, our party is derailing,” George stated, calling on aggrieved members to unite and resolve the party’s challenges. He described the current state of the PDP as troubling, saying, “Our party is at the precipice of a dangerous looming crisis if pending critical party issues are not urgently addressed.”
George accused certain members of pretending to be loyal to the PDP while secretly aligning with the APC. “Some members have one leg in PDP and another in APC. This pretension must stop,” he warned. He lamented the decline of the PDP, saying, “Today, our founding fathers who have gone to the world beyond will be crying in their graves because this party has become a shadow of itself due to selfish interests.”
Reflecting on Atiku’s ambition, George said, “Why is Atiku so desperate? Some of us won’t allow your desperation to destroy this party. PDP is not the private enterprise of any individual.” He added that Atiku, who will be 81 in 2027, should step back and act as an elder statesman, saying, “This is the time for you to calm down and act like an elder.”
He criticized the sidelining of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and urged former Governor Nyesom Wike to “cool off immediately.” George also expressed concern about threats from the APC’s leadership to dominate future elections, saying, “The National Chairman of APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, has threatened to capture all states in Nigeria.”
Concluding, George called for unity and dedication among PDP members. “We must not allow anybody to destroy our party because PDP is the only true national party,” he said, urging elders to rise above personal interests and focus on the greater good. “Anything else will be suicidal,” he warned.