Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has likened the party’s structure in Lagos and across Nigeria to the deep-rooted strength of an Iroko or Lebanon oak tree.
Chief George made the remarks on Monday during a press briefing following a PDP stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos. He refuted recent claims that the PDP’s structure had collapsed.
His reaction follows the defection of some Lagos PDP leaders, including the party’s 2023 governorship candidate, Dr Abdul-Azeez Adediran (popularly known as Jandor), and party spokesman, Alhaji Hakeem Amode, who recently joined the All Progressives Congress (APC). The defectors had claimed that the PDP structure had been merged into the APC.
Describing the assertion as “nonsensical”, George firmly rejected the claim. He stressed that although all political organisations experience turbulent times, the PDP remains resilient due to its firm foundation.
“I want to assure our leaders that the Iroko political party is very much alive,” he said.
He criticised the defectors as lacking significance within the party. “Who are these people in PDP?” he asked rhetorically, implying their limited influence.
George expressed regret over the endorsement of Jandor during the 2023 elections, which led to him being presented with the party’s flag, calling the decision unfortunate.
“It is absolutely nonsensical to say the PDP structure in Lagos State has collapsed into APC,” he insisted.
Describing the party’s current internal challenges as solvable, George stated: “This party is an Iroko tree, like an oak in Lebanon. No matter the wind or storm, the Iroko will stand because of its deep roots. That is why we’ve survived till today.”
He acknowledged that the PDP had made avoidable errors during the last election cycle and said the party was now learning from them.
“These people believe we’ve collapsed, but it’s a lie,” he said, dismissing the defectors’ claims as deliberate attempts to mislead the public.
George further stated that the party would no longer tolerate the imposition of candidates during primaries, vowing a more democratic internal process.
“We are determined that anyone contesting must go through the people. From now on, no more ‘Baba says’ imposition,” he said.
George Warns Against Emergency Rule in Rivers
On national issues, George condemned the proposed emergency rule in Rivers State and called on President Bola Tinubu to reinstate the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, urging him to respect the will of the people.
He cautioned that the President must not undermine the foundations of Nigeria’s hard-earned democracy, particularly in volatile states like Rivers.
George criticised the President’s formal request to the National Assembly seeking approval of several key appointments in Rivers State under the emergency arrangement.
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The request includes nominations for a chairman and six members of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), as well as appointments to the Primary Healthcare Board, the Civil Service Commission, and the Local Government Civil Service Commission.
“This move raises serious concerns about power concentration and undermines democratic institutions,” George warned, urging the President to act with restraint.
He added that the President must refrain from giving the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), the authority to conduct local government elections or make critical appointments.
George concluded by calling on the federal government to shift focus from political control to pressing national issues such as democracy, insecurity, hunger, unemployment, and social challenges.
The PDP stakeholders present at the meeting included Senator Motorola Bucknor and Chief Aduke Maina, alongside Dr Niran Adeniji, Dr Layi Ogunbambi, Dr Amos Fawole, Captain Tunji Shelle (Rtd.), and Dr Seye O’Dairo.
Others in attendance were Alhaji Ismail Abiola, Alhaji Akorode Imam, Alhaja Babs Olorunkemi, Alhaja Tanwa Olusi, and Elder John Agbaje, as well as Chief Ahmed Alashe and members of the PDP Local Government Area Chairmen Forum.
