A prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has strongly rejected claims suggesting the party is no longer viable, describing such assertions as “first-class dreaming.”
George, a member of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), made this remark during an appearance on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme aired on Monday. He was responding to views that the PDP is now defunct.
“No way. Those are dreamers. I’m telling you they are first-class dreamers,” George said. “In political management, ownership structure, camaraderie, what we have in the PDP, they don’t have.”
He characterised the PDP as “the Iroko political party of Nigeria,” stressing that its foundations remain “deep and intact” despite recent internal challenges.
George also reacted to the earlier blockade of the PDP national secretariat in Abuja by security operatives, calling the action “disgraceful.” He recounted being denied entry into the premises, likening the experience to being locked out of one’s own home.
“It’s like going back to your home, and suddenly it’s surrounded by police. I thought, ‘What in the globe is happening?’” the elder statesman said.
According to George, the incident has taught party members valuable lessons. “There’s no organisation in the world without 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 added.
The PDP had earlier relocated its BoT meeting to the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja’s Central Business District due to the presence of police personnel at the Wadata Plaza headquarters. The move came amid scheduled meetings of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and BoT.
Speaking to journalists, George condemned the blockade and warned the Federal Government against actions capable of inciting 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 declared.
Despite the disruption, the party was able to hold its 100th NEC meeting later in the day after the removal of the police barricade. Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, stated that the meeting’s sole agenda was to set a date for the next NEC gathering, during which issues surrounding the national convention and leadership will be addressed.
The session concluded with a resolution to reconvene on 23 July. It also reaffirmed Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s position as National Secretary.
Bauchi State Governor and Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Senator Bala Mohammed, told reporters that the police presence was intended to prevent miscreants from disrupting proceedings. However, several party figures, including George and BoT member Maina Chiroma, criticised the deployment as a tactic of intimidation.
Former PDP National Secretary, Umar Tsauri, also stated that police officers informed them they were acting on “orders from above.”
In a statement, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command denied sealing off the secretariat, with spokesperson SP Josephine Adeh clarifying that the officers were deployed only to maintain order.
The party’s ongoing leadership dispute, particularly over the National Secretary position, remains unresolved. Both Senator Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye continue to claim the role. Although the Supreme Court ruled on the matter in March, each faction maintains divergent interpretations of the judgment. A further hearing is scheduled for 22 September at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
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