The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Chief Bode George has claimed that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar would have faced a disastrous collapse if he had emerged victorious in the 2023 presidential election. Speaking on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Friday, George expressed deep concerns over the internal crisis that has plagued the PDP since the last election.
During his candid interview, Bode George didn’t hold back in his criticism of the PDP’s decision to back Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate. George argued that if Atiku had won, Nigeria would have been plunged into instability, given that the nation’s political norm of rotating power between the North and South was disregarded.
“If Atiku had won, I would have stayed in my house because I know for real (that) in future he would collapse. This country would never accept,” George stated, emphasizing the potential fallout from breaking the traditional power rotation.
George went further to criticize the PDP’s leadership during the election, pointing out that the party’s tilt towards the North by selecting Atiku was a significant misstep that disorganized the party’s structure. He also noted that the failure of former PDP National Chairman Iyorchia Ayu to resign, as initially agreed upon, further deepened the crisis within the party.
The PDP’s internal divisions have become a growing concern for party members and supporters. According to George, the party is now fractured into three major sections, leaving it unable to mount a strong opposition to the ruling government. He criticized the party’s leadership for failing to address the root causes of its problems, instead choosing to form committees that, in his view, are unlikely to resolve the deeper issues.
“We’ve got some deeper problems in the party. The party is almost divided now into three major sections and it’s not working,” George lamented, underscoring the urgent need for reconciliation within the PDP.
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Bode George, a respected member of the PDP’s Board of Trustees, has also rejected his nomination to serve on the party’s Disciplinary Committee. The committee, led by High Chief Tom Ikimi, was formed to probe members who allegedly worked against the party during the last general elections. George criticized the committee’s composition, arguing that it reflects the biases and divisions within the party.
“I will not serve under Ikimi. I’m being very frank with myself,” George stated, questioning the rationale behind his appointment and expressing concerns over the committee’s ability to fairly address the party’s issues.
As the PDP continues to grapple with internal strife, George called for a fundamental review of the events leading up to the last election. He urged the party to focus on resolving the conflicts that have divided its members and to work towards reuniting the party.
“A divided house will always remain a defeated house,” George warned, emphasizing the need for the PDP to present a united front if it hopes to regain its footing as a formidable opposition party.
With Bode George’s explosive statements, the PDP’s internal crisis is now in the spotlight, raising questions about the party’s future. As the PDP attempts to navigate these turbulent waters, the call for truth, transparency, and unity will be critical if the party hopes to remain relevant in Nigeria’s political landscape.
