A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, has taken a swipe at certain leaders within the party, accusing them of selfishness, factionalism, and what he termed “existential imbecility” as the party moves toward its national convention scheduled to hold in Ibadan.
George spoke during an interview on Arise News on Thursday, where he faulted recent calls to suspend the convention or install a caretaker committee.
Naijaonpoint reports that the PDP elder statesman dismissed demands by some aggrieved members seeking to halt the convention, describing such moves as both “unnecessary and unconstitutional.”
He insisted that the party’s internal democratic processes must be respected.
Contrary to claims that the opposition party is in turmoil, George maintained that the PDP remains intact and fully capable of conducting its convention.
George said, “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.
George said, “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?”
He described what he sees as reckless behaviour within the PDP, arguing that such conduct dishonours the legacy of the party’s founders.
He stated, “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.
He said, “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.
He said, “For God’s sake, this country is big enough for everybody. Don’t let us repeat the mistake of the past. We are returning to Ayia Napa for the convention. For my head, exactly what happened. Let everybody stay on their side. If you want to leave the party, get the hell out.
“If it comes out not in our favour, we will respect that judgment and then go to the appeal, and go to the Supreme Court, like we are saying, has ruled several times that you cannot allow the parties to settle their internal dispute by themselves, except when it is a competition between one person and another. And the process of the 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.
He said, “All these things that we are talking about are an existential imbecility. It has nothing to do with the management of the people of this country. Nobody asked God to make me a Christian or 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 judgment tomorrow. We’ll see how it goes,” he said.
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