Chief Bode George, a prominent leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and former Deputy National Chairman, has fiercely criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for disowning the PDP’s contribution to his political rise.
In a passionate interview on Wednesday, George described Wike’s statement as a “disgusting abomination” and an act of gross ingratitude.
Wike, who served two terms as Governor of Rivers State under the PDP and now holds a ministerial post in the All Progressives Congress led federal government, had recently asserted that his success in politics was not due to the PDP but to his individual capacity. This claim sparked strong backlash from party stakeholders, with George leading the charge.
“It is an absolute abomination. This is a party that provided you the platform, gave you visibility, and carried you through every phase of your political life—from local government chairman to governor. To now publicly deny the role of the PDP is a disgrace,” George said.
He likened the PDP to an “iroko tree” — large, deeply rooted, and resilient — stressing that it remains one of the most structured and democratic political organisations in Nigeria. According to him, the party is governed by rules, regulations, and a collective ownership that cannot be dismissed by personal ambitions or opportunistic defections.
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George, who referred to Wike as a “young man” and stated that Wike is the age of his first son, expressed dismay over what he viewed as Wike’s lack of humility and awareness. To drive home his point on the fleeting nature of political power, he quoted Shakespeare’s Macbeth: “Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more.”
The PDP chieftain emphasised that ballot papers do not bear individual names but party symbols, indicating that political success is fundamentally tied to the platform on which one contests. “If you check the ballot box, did you see Wike’s personal name there? No. What you saw was the PDP logo. That is the platform that got him elected,” George stated.
He reiterated that the PDP is not owned by any one individual but is a collective of Nigerians who believe in a common political vision. “Our party is not like APC, which many believe is controlled by a single figure. The PDP belongs to all its members, and its Board of Trustees ensures compliance with its founding principles,” he said.
While George refused to trade personal insults, he made it clear that Wike’s comments could not go unchallenged.
He redirected the conversation toward the PDP’s vision for Nigeria and its ability to offer better governance. “We have the records, the experience, and the capacity to serve Nigeria. That’s where our energy should go,” he concluded.
Sahara Reporters
