Wike Is Obsessed With Bode George” – PDP Launches Fresh Attack, Says Lagos Is Different From Rivers

The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised FCT Minister Nyesom Wike over his recent remarks about former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Chief Olabode George, urging him to focus on his responsibilities in Abuja rather than Lagos politics.

In a statement issued on Saturday by its Publicity Secretary, Dr Christopher Odianarewo, the Lagos PDP accused Wike of being overly focused on George and said his latest comments raised more questions than answers.

“Quite frankly, your latest outburst raises more questions than it answers and further exposes the depth of your obsession with Chief Olabode George,” the party said.

PDP Rejects Wike’s Claim Over George’s Ambition

The party also dismissed Wike’s claim that he prevented George from becoming national chairman of the PDP.

According to the Lagos PDP, George had legitimately expressed his interest in leading the party at the national level in accordance with its constitution, but later withdrew his ambition in the interest of unity and fairness.

“High Chief Olabode George once expressed his legitimate aspiration to lead our great party at the national level. He did so openly, legitimately and within the provisions of the PDP constitution,” the statement said.

The party added that George voluntarily stepped aside when it became necessary to preserve the stability of the opposition party.

“He did not need Nyesom Wike to teach him sacrifice,” it added.

Questioning Wike’s assertion that he and others stopped George from attaining the national chairmanship, the party asked: “Who appointed you the owner of the PDP?”

“And who gave you the authority to determine which legitimate aspiration of a party member should live or die?” it further asked.

‘Why Did Wike Visit George?’

The Lagos PDP also drew attention to Wike’s disclosure that he visited George at his Abuja residence after the party’s convention in an effort to reconcile with him.

According to the party, the visit appeared inconsistent with Wike’s current description of George as politically irrelevant.

“Why did you need to go to his residence to appease a man you now describe as politically irrelevant and without value?” the party asked.

“If he was truly the ‘failed politician’ you now portray him to be, why were you, as a sitting governor, personally visiting his home?”

The party argued that Wike’s visit suggested that he previously recognised George’s political influence and stature.

PDP Rejects Polling Unit Argument

The Lagos PDP also challenged Wike’s attempt to assess George’s political relevance based on electoral results from polling units associated with him.

The party described the argument as overly simplistic, insisting that political influence and leadership cannot be determined solely by the number of votes recorded at one polling unit.

“Leadership is bigger than a polling unit. Political history is bigger than a polling unit,” it said.

“And the contributions of Chief Olabode George to the PDP and Lagos politics cannot be erased by manipulating isolated election figures.”

The party further noted that the PDP had recorded electoral victories in Lagos since 1999, including winning seats in the House of Representatives, Lagos State House of Assembly and local government councils.

It accused Wike of presenting what it described as a selective account of the party’s electoral history.

Lagos PDP Challenges Reference to Deji Doherty

The party also responded to Wike’s reference to PDP chieftain Deji Doherty, challenging the minister to apply the same polling-unit standard to Doherty if he considers him a major political force in Lagos.

“Perhaps you should first ask him to also demonstrate his electoral strength at his own polling unit before presenting him as the political saviour of Lagos PDP,” the party said.

It added that Lagos voters could distinguish between genuine political structures and what it described as “television theatrics.”

‘Lagos No Be Rivers’

The Lagos PDP concluded by urging Wike to stay out of the internal affairs of the Lagos chapter and concentrate on his ministerial responsibilities in Abuja.

“You have a full-time responsibility in Abuja. Lagos has its political affairs,” the party said.

It maintained that George did not need Wike’s approval to remain politically active or contribute to national discussions.

“If you disagree with him politically, that is your democratic right,” the party said.

“But repeatedly attacking his character, diminishing his contributions and boasting that you ‘blocked’ his political aspiration does not make you bigger than him.”

The party ended with a direct message to the FCT minister:

“Face your work in Abuja and leave Lagos alone.

“You cannot impose your Rivers political mentality on Lagos. Lagos no be Rivers.”