Former PDP Deputy Chairman Bode George Urges Atiku, Wike to Exit Party
Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olabode George, has called on Nyesom Wike and Atiku Abubakar to formally exit the party if they no longer align with its values.
In a statement on Wednesday, George expressed dismay over the continued association of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and the former Vice President with opposition figures, while still claiming allegiance to the PDP.
“What exactly is going on? If anyone is tired of the PDP, they should simply leave. Enough of this public embarrassment. As a founding elder of this party, I will not sit idly by while others openly disrespect its ideals,” he said.
George also criticized Atiku’s recent visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna, questioning its political implications. “General Buhari remains my boss, but he is not a member of our party. Why is Atiku engaging with him politically? Isn’t that an anti-party activity?”
He further condemned Wike’s alignment with the ruling APC, citing President Bola Tinubu’s directive for the APC to win the FCT council elections — a goal Wike reportedly endorsed.
“Wike has been given a direct order to deliver FCT to APC and yet claims PDP membership. Is political shamelessness now the norm? Where is our party’s leadership? Why are they tolerating this behavior from Atiku and Wike?” George asked.
“Now, some governors are joining them to endorse Tinubu’s reelection in 2027. I ask again, what exactly is going on in our party? Has discipline gone to the dogs? Has everything broken down completely? Has sanity taken flight in the way we run the party now? Nigerians are yearning for change, which only the PDP can offer because ours is the only organised party. Apart from Ganduje, who else do you know in APC NWC? APC is a one-man show being controlled from the Villa. This is the time for the national leadership of PDP to take decisive steps to save our great party. As a founding member of our party and an elderstatesman, I call on other elders of our party to call Atiku and Wike to order, as the two are not bigger than the PDP. They cannot continue hobnobbing with enemies of our party and think I will keep quiet. The truth must be told every time without minding whose ox is gored. This is the time to save our party from those undermining PDP from within.
“If Atiku is strategising on how to form a coalition with others because of 2027, he should do that outside the structure of our party. You cannot be within and be working against the interest of this party. We will never allow that. Wike’s case is very clear to everybody. He wants to be in the good books of Tinubu while working against our party. He is an adult and knows what is good for him politically but you cannot claim to be in the PDP and be working against the interest of the party.
“Many people do not know that what Wike did in Rivers leading to emergency rule declaration of March 18 is anti-party activity. He organises live interviews across television Stations as if he is the president and attacks PDP in the process. If there is any iota of shame left in him, this is the time for him to leave our party.
“His strategy is to continue to work within the party for the President’s reelection. This is the time for our party leadership to wield the big stick because nobody is more powerful than the party. 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. Due to the anti-people policies of APC, Nigerians are going through a lot and they are waiting for PDP to alleviate their suffering in 2027,”he said.
