Bode George, a Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has sharply criticised certain party leaders for what he described as selfish behavior, factionalism, and existential imbecility as the party heads toward its highly anticipated national convention in Ibadan.
Speaking In an interview with ARISE NEWS on Thursday, George dismissed recent calls to suspend the convention or create a caretaker committee, insisting such measures were both unnecessary and unconstitutional. He emphasised that the party remains united despite ongoing disputes among some members.
“You know, in this country it amazes me the way people roll around purely for their selfish end. I am, this, the senator you mentioned, Sanaki, he set up the first committee set up for reconciliation. That’s quite a while. So what has he done? Telling us on the eve of the convention that we should go and form a caretaker committee. You know, I totally disagree with him.”
He further insisted that the PDP’s core leadership structure remains intact, pointing out that most of the National Working Committee (NWC) members support the scheduled convention. “The main party is still solidly intact. We are waiting for the ruling of the court in Igbata. You know why? It’s a water showcase. Just a water showcase,” he said, dismissing claims by some factions that the judiciary should intervene in internal party matters.
“The Supreme Court has ruled that all party activities, due to official here and there, it’s not their business. Go to your party and resolve your issue. What is their business?”
George described what he sees as reckless behavior within the PDP, arguing that such conduct dishonors the legacy of the party’s founders. “You know, what is demeaning and what is annoying, and what I call existential imbecility. Terrible attitudes of these people. I mean, the founding fathers, for God’s sake, will be shaking in their graves.”
On the issue of the Ibadan convention’s postponement, George accused certain members of exceeding their authority. He specifically criticised the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Ayo, for purportedly releasing an advertisement claiming the convention had been postponed.
“How many of them are together? Let me tell you this. A few weeks ago, they had the National Working Committee meeting. About 19 members. Only three, out of the 19, are the Ayia Napa group. That’s why I said you hear the voice of Jacob, but the hand of Esau.”
George also pointed to historical parallels, recalling crises from the early 1960s to highlight the dangers of disunity. He recounted incidents in the Western Region, warning that repeated internal conflicts could have destabilising consequences. “For God’s sake, this country is big enough for everybody. Don’t let us repeat the mistake of the past. We are going back to Ayia Napa, to do the convention. For my head, exactly what happened. Let everybody stay on their side. If you want to relieve the party, get the hell out.”
“If it comes out not in our favour, we will respect that judgement and then go to the appeal, and go to the Supreme Court, like we are saying, has ruled severally that you cannot allow the parties to seek their internal dispute by themselves, except when it is a competition between one, person and another. And the process of election. That is what you can bring to any court.”
Beyond the internal party dispute, George used the interview to decry broader societal issues, including tribalism and religious bigotry, which he said were planted by the British and continue to fuel division in Nigeria.
“All these things that we are talking about is an existential imbecility. It has nothing to do with the management of the people of this country. Nobody asked God to give me to be a Christian or to be a Muslim. Love your neighbour as yourself. It’s in the Quran.”
George concluded by expressing optimism about the PDP’s resilience and the forthcoming convention, reiterating that the party’s procedures and unity would prevail over factional disputes. “By the grace of God, we are looking forward to the judgement tomorrow. We’ll see how it goes,” he said.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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