In a fervent appeal for unity, Chief Olabode George, a prominent chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has expressed deep concern over the party’s escalating internal crisis. Addressing the media at his Ikoyi residence in Lagos, George warned that without immediate reconciliation and discipline, the PDP risks facing significant challenges in the 2027 elections.
“We’ve found ourselves in our current situation due to a self-inflicted crisis,” George lamented. “We should bury our individual ambitions now and not allow the PDP to crumble. Elders of the party should tell those funny characters to calm down. Unless we are united, with equity, fairness, and justice being the pedestal for any political decision taken, this party will be heading to disaster in 2027.”
The former Deputy National Chairman and life member of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) described the recent tussle over the position of the national secretary as a national embarrassment. Reflecting on the events of the 79th BoT meeting in Abuja, George stated, “What happened on Wednesday during the 79th meeting of this August body in Abuja is despicable, horrific, inhuman, wicked, and unheard of. The individuals who orchestrated the use of thugs to invade our party secretariat acted shamelessly, and this action must be condemned by all of us who value democracy.”
He emphasized that the actions of certain current leaders dishonor the legacy of the PDP’s founding fathers, including Chief Solomon Lar, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Chief Bola Ige, Alhaji Adamu Ciroma, Chief Sunday Awoniyi, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, and Chief Sunday Afolabi, who prioritized collective interests over personal ambition.
George further warned, “The current situation arose from the actions of certain disloyal individuals within the party who are hell-bent on destroying it. I strongly believe this should also be seen as a serious offense which should not be condoned. What happened on Wednesday was horrendous, terrible, and dreadful.”
Expressing outrage over the invasion of the PDP National Secretariat by thugs, George said, “We are all aware that the National Secretariat of our party in Abuja is sacred. The premises must be respected by all members and non-members. It is sacrilegious that thugs were hired to enter the premises to unleash mayhem, disrupting the 79th Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting.”
He questioned the potential consequences for future meetings, asking, “If that could happen, then what do you think those who sponsored the thugs will do during National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings?”
George urged the party to enforce discipline, stating, “I have consistently stated that those with a belligerent attitude, if they are not ready to repent, should be shown the way out. As the largest party in Africa, PDP should not be turned into an ‘Agbero’ party by any member with an inordinate ambition. We have rules and regulations that govern our party.”
He emphasized that if reconciliation is not possible, those responsible for the turmoil should step aside. “If PDP indeed is serious as a party, this is the time for the party leadership to bring the two opposing factions together for a peace meeting. If they are not ready to embrace peace, they should step aside and allow the party to move past the current turmoil. Enough of this arrant nonsense.”
Calling for swift action, George declared, “This is the time to show members working against our party the way out. No sentiment at all. Anything else will be suicidal.”
He condemned the attack on party officers, saying, “Decrying the situation in which party officers were attacked and dragged out of the hall by thugs, he said, ‘What a desecration of our office! This is profanity of the highest order.'”
George concluded with a stern warning to disruptive members: “Nobody is too big to be disciplined by our party. Also, nobody is too important to be expelled. Only patriotic members of our party are indispensable. If you think you are a member of our party and you are arrogantly working against us, I can tell you that your days are numbered.”
In response to the crisis, the PDP’s Board of Trustees has called for an urgent National Executive Committee meeting to address the internal discord. Senator Adolphus Wabara, Chairman of the BoT, emphasized the need for all factions to de-escalate tensions and revert to the status quo to preserve the party’s unity and stability. He stated, “The BoT calls on all sides of the NWC to sheath their swords and de-escalate the tension. The warring persons must, in the overall interest of the party, revert to the status quo to preserve the unity and stability of our great party.”
Wabara also highlighted the party’s tradition of internal democracy and assured members that the BoT would intervene to foster reconciliation. “We understand that disagreements may arise, but as a party with a long-standing tradition of internal democracy, we must not let these challenges derail our collective vision. The Board of Trustees will meet with the members of the NWC to intervene, foster reconciliation, and ensure that normalcy is restored in the NWC of our great party.”
As the PDP navigates this tumultuous period, the calls for unity and discipline from its senior members underscore the critical need for reconciliation to ensure the party’s future success.
