Bode George, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has expressed his disapproval of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s recent visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari at his residence in Kaduna State.
During an appearance on a televised show, George, who previously served as the deputy national chairman of the party, also dismissed the idea of a coalition, labeling it a strategy to undermine the primary opposition party. Atiku has been urging opposition leaders nationwide to unite in forming a mega party to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the upcoming 2027 elections. His visit to Buhari was perceived as an effort to entice him into his coalition initiative.
Accompanying Atiku were notable figures such as former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai and former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, among others. In response to this development, George remarked: “What is the objective of this mega party being formed? You are part of a robust organization, yet you wish to withdraw. Meeting with Buhari, who is not a member of our party, raises questions. Have you consulted anyone else regarding your mega plans? Do you believe this is a personal endeavor? Is the PDP a private entity? No one owns the PDP. Bring your ideas to the party for discussion. Once approved, you may proceed. It is inappropriate to waver based on personal ambitions. Consider Buhari greeting these individuals. We nominated you against him, and he defeated you decisively, yet you sought his company. Furthermore, the individuals who visited Buhari appear to be from a singular faction; where are the others from our party? The South-West PDP leader questioned Atiku’s intentions with the mega party, asking, “Is he attempting to create a divide between the North and South of Nigeria?” He urged PDP members nationwide to unite and collaborate for the party’s success in 2027, rather than aligning with Atiku’s aspirations to establish a mega party.
Expressing his discontent regarding reports of certain PDP governors defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), he characterized this action as a betrayal of the party that provided them with political significance.
“We are operating within a system that is utterly reprehensible and deeply discouraging,” he stated. “A platform that equipped you with all the essential resources and the chance to represent your constituency; now, midway through your term, you are abandoning ship? I find these governors’ actions to be profoundly disappointing,” he expressed.
George also reflected on his experience during the tenure of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, where he led a delegation to South Africa to mediate a political crisis, gaining insight into the distinct functioning of political systems. He emphasized that in South Africa, it is the parties, rather than individuals, that contest elections, thereby truly embodying the concept of party supremacy.
“That is why, in that context, when one asserts that the party is supreme, it genuinely is supreme,” he remarked.
He raised concerns about the integrity of governors who campaigned under the PDP’s vision and programs, only to contemplate switching their allegiance mid-term. “The voters in their states supported them based on the party’s programs. Now, do they wish to revert? What has the APC offered?” he questioned, underscoring the absence of a solid structure within the ruling party.
George’s remarks follow reports indicating that three to four PDP governors are poised to defect to the APC in support of Tinubu’s bid for a second term.
