Kehinde Fajobi
Former Deputy National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, revealed on Thursday that some members of the party are covertly working for the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the 2027 elections approach.
Addressing a press conference in Lagos, George also advised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to avoid desperation in his pursuit of the presidency in 2027, asserting that the PDP is not “the private enterprise of any individual.”
George, reflecting on the state of the party, declared: “All is not well with our party. In fact, our party is derailing.”
He called on discontented members and leaders to unite and resolve the party’s internal issues.
He added, “As a loyal party man who lives, thinks, talks, breathes and defends PDP, I have never left this party since it was formed, so today gives me a great opportunity to deliberate on the future of our party.”
With the PDP’s leadership preparing for a meeting on November 28, George warned that failure to address critical party matters could lead to a severe crisis.
“I am raising the alarm today that our party is at the precipice of a dangerous looming crisis,” he said.
He pointed out that a small group of individuals, whom he called “desperados,” are undermining the party’s efforts, even collaborating with the APC in the lead-up to 2027.
“Some members are already working for the ruling APC. They have one leg in PDP and another leg in APC,” George said.
“Such chameleonic characters are the ones trying to dictate the direction of this party.”
George emphasised that disloyalty should be treated as a serious offense, urging members to reject those undermining the party.
He further stated: “Disloyalty in our party should also be seen as a serious crime which should not be condoned.”
He also expressed his concern over the marginalisation of Southern members, saying, “Why are we not looking in the direction of the Southern part of the country for a younger candidate?”
He referred to the 2023 presidential race and the crisis caused by Atiku’s ambition, accusing the party leadership of enabling Bola Tinubu’s rise to power.
In his advice to Atiku, George questioned the former vice president’s desperation for the presidency: “Why is Atiku so desperate? Some of us won’t allow your desperation to destroy this party.”
He added that the PDP should not revolve around any single individual.
George also criticised internal divisions within the PDP, lamenting the treatment of certain members and governors, particularly the issue surrounding Governor Nyesom Wike.
He urged, “Elders of the party should rise above this shenanigan and talk sense into these characters. PDP cannot continue like this.”
Despite these internal issues, George expressed his unwavering belief in the PDP’s potential to challenge the APC in 2027, urging members to unite for the future of the country.
“If we want to win the 2027 presidential election, we should not allow ourselves to be divided.”
In closing, he appealed to the elders and committed members to stand firm for the unity and success of the party.
“Let us not fail or disappoint our founding fathers. The PDP is the only true national party, and we must not allow it to be destroyed,” he said.