Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has declared that he will never abandon the party despite its lingering internal crisis, insisting that the PDP remains a pillar of Nigeria’s democracy.
George also dismissed claims by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, that his faction had taken control of the PDP structure in Lagos State, describing the assertion as “daydreaming.”
Speaking with journalists at his Ikoyi residence on Friday, George said the ongoing political developments within the PDP would not have occurred if the party’s internal democratic principles had been upheld.
The elder statesman, who is a member of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), maintained that he would continue to defend the party and speak the truth regardless of the challenges facing it.
“Wike is daydreaming,” George said while reacting to the minister’s claim over the Lagos PDP structure.
Reflecting on previous divisions within the party, George referenced the G-5 governors and cautioned against actions capable of weakening the PDP.
He also expressed disappointment over Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s reported political moves, saying he was not informed about the governor’s alleged presidential ambition or political alignment.
According to him, loyalty remains the foundation of lasting political success, warning that abandoning established structures could have serious consequences.
George stressed that the PDP Board of Trustees serves as the conscience of the party and must not stand by while the party is undermined.
“I will not wait and see the party being denigrated. Until I die, I will continue to tell the truth to power,” he said.
Beyond the internal party crisis, George called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to protect the integrity and independence of the judiciary.
In an open letter titled “The Imperative of Preserving the Sanctity, Independence and Integrity of the Nigerian Judiciary,”addressed to the Chairman of the NJC, George urged the council to act courageously in handling the legal dispute surrounding the PDP leadership.
He criticised a recent court decision dismissing a suit filed by the PDP Board of Trustees, which sought to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the faction of the party led by Chief Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN) in line with previous court judgments.
George argued that the court should have first determined the substantive constitutional issues before dismissing the suit and imposing ₦140 million in costs against the PDP Board of Trustees and an additional ₦10 million against its counsel.
He maintained that judgments of the Supreme Court and other superior courts remain binding on all authorities, including INEC, until they are overturned by a competent court.
The PDP chieftain urged the NJC to uphold judicial independence and ensure that the judiciary remains free from political influence.
According to him, preserving public confidence in the courts is essential to protecting Nigeria’s constitutional democracy and the rule of law.