PeakNews Online
LAGOS, June 17, 2025 — Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has debunked claims that the PDP’s structure in Lagos State has collapsed, describing such assertions as “nonsensical.”
Speaking to journalists on Monday after a PDP stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos, George likened the party’s foundation to the deep roots of an Iroko tree or Lebanon oak, insisting the PDP remains firmly rooted across Nigeria despite recent defections.
His comments followed the recent defection of Lagos PDP chieftains — including the party’s 2023 governorship candidate, Dr Abdul-Azeez Adediran (Jandor), and the party’s spokesman, Alhaji Hakeem Amode — to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The defectors claimed the PDP structure had been collapsed into the APC.
George, however, rejected their claims, stating, “It is absolutely nonsensical to say the PDP structure in Lagos State has collapsed into the APC. This party is like an Iroko tree — no matter the storm, it stands strong because of its deep roots.”
He described the defectors as political “caricatures” with little influence, adding that PDP remains alive and resilient. “Who are these people in the PDP?” he asked rhetorically.
George also expressed regret over the party’s decision to back Adediran as its governorship candidate in 2023, calling it an unfortunate endorsement. “We’ve learnt our lessons,” he said, warning that the party would no longer tolerate the imposition of candidates in future elections. “From now on, no more ‘Baba says.’ Every candidate must go through the people.”
Turning to national issues, George criticised President Bola Tinubu over the political crisis in Rivers State, particularly the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the request to the National Assembly to approve key appointments under an emergency rule framework.
“This move raises serious concerns about power concentration and undermines democratic institutions,” he said, calling on the President to respect the will of the people and refrain from actions that could jeopardize democracy.
He specifically warned against empowering the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), to conduct elections or make appointments to key state institutions such as the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), the Primary Healthcare Board, and the Civil Service Commission.
George urged the Tinubu administration to focus on urgent national issues including insecurity, unemployment, hunger, and social decay, rather than engaging in political domination.
PDP leaders at the stakeholders’ meeting included Senator Motorola Bucknor-Akerele, Chief Aduke Maina, Dr Niran Adeniji, Dr Layi Ogunbambi, Dr Amos Fawole, Capt. Tunji Shelle (Rtd), Dr Seye O’Dairo, Alhaji Ismail Abiola, Alhaji Akorode Imam, Alhaja Babs Olorunkemi, Alhaja Tanwa Olusi, Elder John Agbaje, and Chief Ahmed Alashe, among others from the PDP Local Government Area Chairmen Forum.
