Lagos PDP Fires Back At Wike: ‘You Didn’t Block Bode George’s Chairmanship Ambition’ Lagos PDP Fires Back at Wike Over Bode George Comments The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has responded to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over his recent claim that he had no regret blocking the national chairmanship ambition of former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Chief Bode George. Accusations of Obsession and Revisionism In an open letter signed by its Publicity Secretary, Prince Christopher Odianarewo, the Lagos PDP described Wike’s comments as evidence of an “obsession” with George, accusing the minister of attempting to rewrite the political history of the party. The party argued that George had never needed Wike to teach him political sacrifice, as he voluntarily stepped down his ambition in the interest of fairness, unity, and stability within the PDP. Setting the Record Straight The Lagos PDP questioned Wike’s account of personally visiting George’s Abuja residence after the party’s convention to appease him, suggesting that this action contradicted Wike’s current portrayal of George as politically irrelevant. 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?” This, according to the party, indicated that Wike recognised George’s political stature and influence at the time. Rejecting Distortions of Party History The party rejected Wike’s claim that the PDP’s electoral decline since 2003 could be attributed to George, describing this position as a distortion of the party’s history. The Lagos PDP noted that the party continued to win elections in Lagos after 2003, with elected representatives in the House of Representatives, Lagos State House of Assembly, and local government councils. Measuring Political Relevance The party dismissed Wike’s reference to George’s polling unit results, arguing that political relevance cannot be measured solely by the number of votes recorded at an individual’s polling unit. The statement said, “Leadership is bigger than a polling unit. Political history is bigger than a polling unit,” maintaining that George’s contributions to Lagos politics and the PDP cannot be erased by isolated election figures. Warning Against Imposing Outsider Mentality The Lagos PDP accused Wike of attempting to impose a “Rivers political mentality” on Lagos and urged him to concentrate on his responsibilities as FCT Minister. The party stated, “Lagos has its own people, its own history, its own political structures and, most importantly, its own destiny. You cannot impose your Rivers political mentality on Lagos. LAGOS NO BE RIVERS.” The party maintained that George does not need Wike’s permission, endorsement, or validation to remain politically relevant, insisting that disagreements within the PDP should not be used to diminish the contributions of its members. Source: WorldNewsAPI | Read original
