Those Who Think PDP Is Dead Are Dreamers – Bode George

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, has dismissed suggestions that the party is no longer viable, describing those holding such views as “dreamers.”

The elder statesman made the statement during Monday’s edition of Politics on Channels Television, responding to a question about perceptions that the PDP is “dead.”

“No way; those are dreamers. I’m telling you they are first-class dreamers,” he said. “In political management, ownership structure, camaraderie—what we have in the PDP, they don’t have.”

George, a member of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), described the party as “the Iroko political party of Nigeria,” asserting that “its roots remain deep and intact” despite recent internal challenges.

Reacting to the earlier blockade of the PDP national secretariat in Abuja by the police, George said the action was “disgraceful” and expressed shock at being denied entry into the premises.

“It’s like going back to your home, and suddenly it’s surrounded by police. I thought, What in the globe is happening?” he said.

He stated that the experience had provided important lessons for party members. “These experiences are a load of lessons for party members. They’ve apologised; we saw the shenanigans. But let me reassure Nigerians: there’s no organisation in the world without a crisis.

“The most sensible thing is to come back, close the door, speak some home truths, debate, and unite—and that is what we’ve done today,” he said.

Earlier on Monday, the PDP had relocated its BoT meeting to the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja’s Central Business District, citing security concerns. The move came after George and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) were prevented from accessing the party’s national secretariat for scheduled National Executive Committee (NEC) and BoT meetings.

Addressing journalists after the relocation, George warned the Federal Government against actions capable of provoking a national crisis.

“This is our property. Was there any court order stopping us from meeting in our office? Nigerians are watching. You want to turn us into North Korea or Russia? We will not allow it,” he said.

Despite the disruption, the PDP later held its 100th NEC meeting at its Wadata Plaza headquarters, following the removal of the police blockade.

During the meeting, PDP Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, stated that the gathering had one agenda—to set a date for a full NEC meeting to address the party’s national convention and other pressing issues.

The meeting concluded with a decision to hold the next NEC session on July 23 and affirmed that Senator Samuel Anyanwu would remain the party’s National Secretary.

Bauchi State Governor and Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Bala Mohammed, explained that the police presence was to prevent miscreants from disrupting the meeting. However, PDP leaders, including Bode George and BoT member Maina Chiroma, criticised the police deployment, describing it as intimidation.

Former PDP National Secretary, Umar Tsauri, alleged that the police personnel said they were acting on “orders from above.”

The FCT Police Command, however, denied sealing the secretariat. Spokesperson Josephine Adeh stated that officers were deployed solely to maintain law and order.

The leadership crisis within the PDP, particularly over the National Secretary position, remains unresolved. Both Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye claim the role.

Although the Supreme Court issued a ruling on the matter in March, both factions have interpreted the judgment differently. A new hearing is scheduled for September 22 at the Federal High Court in Abuja.