Former Deputy National Chairman (Southwest) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has raised the alarm over the party’s deepening internal crisis, warning that the PDP is “drifting very badly” and risks further decline if urgent steps are not taken to address its challenges.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Friday, George criticized the party’s inability to rise above personal ambitions and called for a thorough investigation into the root causes of its conflicts. He emphasized that resolving the crisis at its midpoint would not suffice and urged the party to establish a committee to examine the issues from their origin.
“Let’s call a spade a spade. We are drifting very badly. I will remain consistent in my argument—we must go to the beginning of this madness so it never repeats itself. If we do not rise above pettiness, it will expand,” George stated.
He expressed frustration over the party’s decline, describing it as “depressing and disgusting” for a once-formidable institution like the PDP to be weakened by personal ambitions. George, a founding member of the party since 1998, stressed the need for accountability and adherence to party regulations.
Call for a Committee to Investigate Crisis
George proposed the formation of a committee to conduct an in-depth analysis of the crisis, particularly focusing on events surrounding the party’s national convention, which he identified as the starting point of the division. He insisted that anyone found guilty of serious offenses should face consequences.
“Let us set up a committee. As the Board of Trustees (BoT), the custodian of the party’s laws and regulations, we must x-ray the mess that started on that convention day and sort it out. Anybody guilty of serious offenses must be dealt with,” he said.
He also dismissed ongoing blame games directed at the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and external figures like former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, arguing that the PDP must take responsibility for its internal conflicts.
“We keep blaming APC and Wike, but what has that got to do with the price of milk? Let’s get inside and sort ourselves out. No individual is higher than the party,” George emphasized.
PDP’s Board of Trustees Steps In
In response to the crisis, the PDP’s BoT has appointed former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, SAN, to mediate the dispute over the position of the national secretary. However, no timeline has been set for his report, raising concerns about the party’s ability to resolve its issues promptly.
At the end of its 79th meeting, the BoT urged all party stakeholders to prioritize the party’s unity and stability over personal and sectional interests. With the PDP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for February 2025, George warned that time is running out for the party to address its divisions.
Urgency Ahead of 2025 Elections
George stressed that the PDP must act decisively to avoid further weakening its prospects ahead of the next election cycle. He warned that failure to resolve the crisis could lead to deeper divisions, undermining the party’s ability to compete effectively.
“By the middle of this year, politics will start. If we don’t sort ourselves out, the divisions will only deepen. The national interest of the party must be much higher than the personal interest of any individual,” he concluded.
As the PDP grapples with internal strife, the party’s ability to unite and reform will determine its future in Nigeria’s political landscape.