By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed recent criticisms by party chieftain, Chief Bode George, describing his comments during an interview on ARISE Television on Wednesday as the outburst of a frustrated politician unable to accept the party’s new direction.
In a statement issued on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Jungudo Mohammed, the party said George’s remarks reflected resentment over the end of an era in which “a handful of self-appointed power brokers” allegedly controlled the affairs of the PDP.
The party expressed disappointment over the former deputy national chairman’s television appearance, saying his comments lacked the restraint and statesmanship expected of someone of his age and political experience.
According to the PDP, rather than offering constructive criticism, George resorted to personal attacks and inflammatory remarks that did not advance public discourse or reflect responsible political engagement.
The party also accused the former military administrator of Lagos State of resisting generational change, insisting that the PDP was committed to creating opportunities for younger leaders to emerge through democratic processes.
Defending its current leadership, the PDP said National Chairman, Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed, and members of the National Working Committee had demonstrated humility, inclusiveness and transparency in repositioning the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
It added that under the present leadership, the party successfully conducted one of its smoothest primary elections in recent history despite legal and political challenges inherited from previous administrations.
The party further maintained that the leadership of Abdulrahman Mohammed and National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, remained legally recognised, arguing that the issue had been settled by judgments of competent courts and recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
While acknowledging the right of aggrieved members to pursue legal remedies, the PDP said it was prepared to defend its leadership and decisions through all lawful processes until pending legal matters were concluded.
The statement also reminded George that respect within a political party is earned through discipline, loyalty and adherence to the party’s constitution rather than public criticism.
The party claimed George’s political influence had failed to deliver electoral success for the PDP in Lagos State over the years, arguing that his record weakened the credibility of his present criticisms.
It also recalled George’s public pledge to leave Nigeria if President Bola Tinubu won the 2023 presidential election, noting that he never fulfilled the promise despite reiterating it on several occasions.
According to the PDP, the inconsistency of such public declarations diminished the weight of his current comments on the party’s leadership and national issues.
The party further reminded the former PDP leader that a court order awarding ₦10 million in costs against him and his co-plaintiffs in a suit the court described as frivolous remained valid and enforceable.
Reaffirming its commitment to internal discipline, the PDP stressed that members who had been sanctioned or expelled could only have their status reviewed through constitutional processes within the party and not through media campaigns.
The added that it had moved beyond the era of elite control and remained focused on strengthening its structures ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that “history is moving forward” and that those unwilling to accept the new reality were free to remain behind.
