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Tag: Bode George

  • Bode George faults proposed 31 new states

    Bode George faults proposed 31 new states

    A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),Chief Olabode George, has faulted calls for the creation of 31 additional states in the country.

    Speaking in an interview with NAN on Sunday, the PDP chieftain said  creation of additional states would not solve the country’s challenges or promote its development.

    Recall that the  Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Benjamin Kalu, had on Thursday said the House had received proposals for the creation of 31 new states.

    Kalu, who is also Chairman of the House Constitution Review Committee, said that six new states were proposed in the North Central, four in the North East, five in the North West ,five in the South South, five in the South East and seven in the South West.

    According to him, the proposed states include Okun, Okura and Confluence from Kogi; Benue Ala and Apa from Benue; FCT State; Amana from Adamawa; Katagum from Bauchi; Savannah from Borno; Muri from Taraba; New Kaduna and Gujarat from Kaduna State; Tiga and Ari from Kano State Kainji from Kebbi; , Adada from Enugu; Orlu from Imo and Aba from Abia,Etiti and Urashi in the South East.

    Others are Ogoja from Cross River, Warri from Delta, Ori and Obolo from Rivers, Torumbe from Ondo, Ibadan from Oyo, Lagoon from Lagos and Ogun, Ijebu from Ogun, and Oke Ogun/Ijesha from Oyo/Ogun/Osun states.

    Some political stakeholders have, however, vehemently opposed the idea, describing it as unnecessary.

    Reacting, George said what was needed in the country at this time was not creation of additional states.

    He argued that the fact that some existing states were not viable clearly showed that state creation would not solve the country’s deep structural problems.

    Instead, George called on the National Assembly to make efforts to  ensure the country achieves true  federalism.saying it was a sure way to achieve  accelerated development .

    “Don”t tell me we should create more states.Forget about more states.We want to create more states and then everybody will be rushing to Abuja.This is not sustainable.

    “Let us look at our federal structure first,the same federal system we run with America.Why are we not running it as they run their own?

    “Go to New York City, the Mayor of New York controls the airport ,the John Kennedy Airport,he controls the ports ,the sea ports.The Mayor of New York ,not the governor.

    “Go to New Orleans,the mayor there controls the ports.The same in Texas ,all oil companies are not controlled by the President. That is federalism.Those people don’t run to Washington every hour to meet the President .

    “In America, they have state police and even county police .Why can’t we have such here ? Creation of more states is not sustainable.What we need now is to address the problems in our federal structure”,he said.

    Calling for devolution of power , George said power devolution would catalyse the development of the country.

    He, however, said the present constitution was not working and there was the need to have a new constitution to drive the country’s development.

    The PDP chieftain said the current constitution put too much power in the centre, leaving the states and local governments helpless and incapacitated.

    “There is no state in this country that The Almighty has not endowed. It is either agriculture or minerals or human resources.

    “But the constitution of this country is not right.We need to revisit it and now allow all.those states to manage themselves ,manage their resources.

    “That is the beginning of the cleansing of this country .Nothing is working because the foundation is faulty,”he said.

    George called for the adoption of the recommendations of the 2014 Confab  to achieve true federalism and address the country’s numerous challenges.

  • PDP heading to disaster in 2027 unless… – Bode George

    PDP heading to disaster in 2027 unless… – Bode George

    Chief Olabode George, Chieftain, People’s Democratic Party (PDP), says 2027 will be disastrous for the former ruling party, unless it unites and wields the big stick on characters destroying it.

    George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, made this remark at a news conference at his Ikoyi residence on Friday in Lagos.

    He was reacting to the party’s lingering national leadership crisis.

    “We’ve found ourselves in our current situation due to a self-inflicted crisis. We should bury our individual ambition now and not allow the PDP to crumble.

    “Elders of the party should tell those funny characters to calm down.

    “Unless we are united, with equity, fairness and justice being the pedestal for any political decision taken, this party will be heading to disaster in 2027,” he said.

    George, a dedicated life member of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), said that he was compelled to sound the alarm in a matter requiring urgent attention in the party.

    The PDP chieftain described the fight over the position of national secretary as a national embarrassment and shame.

    “What happened on Wednesday during the 79th meeting of this August body in Abuja is despicable, horrific, inhuman, wicked and unheard of.

    “The individuals who orchestrated the use of thugs to invade our party secretariat acted shamelessly and this action must be condemned by all of us who value democracy.

    “It is disheartening that the PDP, the bastion of civility, humility, decorum, harmony and respect for the rule of law since 1998 when it was formed by elders, seems to be losing these values,” he said.

    According to him, founding fathers of the party did not allow their personal interests to overshadow the collective interests of the party.

    He listed some of the founding fathers as Chief Solomon Lar, Dr Alex Ekwueme, Chief Bola Ige, Alhaji Adamu Ciroma, Chief Sunday Awoniyi, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and Chief Sunday Afolabi.

    George said that the current leaders of the party were now dancing on the graves of some of these elders.

    He said that the current situation arose from the actions of certain disloyal individuals within the party who are hell bent on destroying it.

    “I strongly believe this should also be seen as a serious offence which should not be condoned. What happened on Wednesday was horrendous, terrible and dreadful.

    “We are all aware that the National Secretariat of our party in Abuja is sacred. The premises must be respected by all members and non-members.

    “It is sacrilegious that thugs were hired to enter the premises to unleash mayhem, disrupting the 79th Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting.

    “If that could happen, then what do you think those who sponsored the thugs will do during National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings?

    “I have consistently stated that those with a belligerent attitude, if they are not ready to repent, should be shown the way out.

    “As the largest party in Africa, PDP should not be turned into an ‘Agbero’ party by any member with an inordinate ambition. We have rules and regulations that govern our party,” George said.

    According to him, if PDP indeed is serious as a party, this is the time for the party leadership to bring the two opposing factions together for a peace meeting.

    “If they are not ready to embrace peace, they should step aside and allow the party to move past the current turmoil. Enough of this arrant nonsense.

    “As leaders, we must not allow anybody to destroy our party because PDP is the only true national party. The APC is just a mere congregation of strange bed fellows.

    “This is the time to show members working against our party the way out. No sentiment at all. Anything else will be suicidal,” he said.

    Decrying the situation in which party officers were attacked and dragged out of the hall by thugs, he said: “What a desecration of our office! This is profanity of the highest order.”

    He called the leadership of the party to wield the big stick on characters destroying it.

    “Nobody is too big to be disciplined by our party. Also, nobody is too important to be expelled. Only patriotic members of our party are indispensable.

    “If you think you are a member of our party and you are arrogantly working against us, I can tell you that your days are numbered.

    “A divided house can never be united. You cannot sleep soundly when you have snakes in your bedroom. That is exactly the situation in PDP today,” he added.

    On the current economic situation, George called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure sustainable policies, saying that Nigerians are angry and hungry as a result of the economic policies.

    “You (Tinubu) must alleviate the suffering of the people now. 2025 is key in this regard because by 2026, politicking for the 2027 elections will start.

    “So, 2025 is very crucial to turn around the fortune of this country and make Nigerians safe and secure in their fatherland,” he said.

    On the new world order, George urged the country to prepare for the far-right wind blowing across the whole wide world with the emergence of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States (U.S.).

  • Reduce petrol price to N300 per litre – Bode George tells Tinubu

    Reduce petrol price to N300 per litre – Bode George tells Tinubu

    Chief Bode George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has urged President Bola Tinubu to reduce the price of petrol   to N300 per litre ,to make things easy for Nigerians during the festive season.

    George, the Atona Oodua of Yorubaland, made this plea at an interactive session with newsmen on Wednesday in Lagos.

    The price of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, is currently above N1,000 per litre.

    According to the elder statesman,Nigerians  are going through hardship, the President should give an order to reduce fuel price, specifying time frame the people will enjoy such window of relief.

    He said that the federal government as well as well- meaning individuals and businesses could bear the cost of such price slash , to bring happiness to all Nigerians.

    The PDP leader, who noted that December and January are  special months , said that such gesture could start from the  middle of December and run through January.

    “I have been thinking, as a Nigerian, what can we do because the anger and the hunger are almost equal on the streets of Nigeria.

    “What am I suggesting is that Mr President should sit down with his managers and give an order that from the middle of December to the end of January, the cost of petrol will be N300 per litre.

    “The government can absorb the losses in the interest of the suffering people.

    “If they (government) want others to contribute, let us know how much that is going to cost and ask people to donate, to bear the cost.

    “We will be sending a lot of messages of happiness across the tribes and homes.

    “Everybody in Nigeria will be happy because it will positively impact on this period of the year. It is a challenge and he (Tinubu) can do it.

    “We need this in this December and January to put smiles on the faces of Nigerians, ” George, a PDP Board of Trustees (BOT) life member, said.

    Advising the President to take further measures to bring relief to the people, he said that the gesture would crash prices of essential commodities and services for the benefit of all .

    He said that government’s efforts should be concentrated on reducing high inflation rate, unemployment, poverty and youth restlessness  in order to create a better future for Nigerians

    Speaking on the recent presidential election in Ghana, George noted that Nigeria’s electoral system  needed reforms to guard against electoral frauds and manipulations.

    According to him, the nation will continue to grope for development if the system fails to encourage best candidates  to emerge.

    Stating that election must reflect the wishes of the people and be devoid of  religious and tribal sentiments, George said that Ghana election should be a wake up call for Nigeria.

    “INEC performance must improve. The commission must make sure that the voice of the people is  heard in elections.

    “Electoral offenders should be made to face the music and sent to jail. We must be very firm about due process, credibility and transparency in elections,” he said.

    Urging the President to revisit resolutions in the 2014 Constitutional Conference, George said that the current constitution was not federal in principle and practice.

    “We should not deceive ourselves, the constitution is a problem. It is a military constitution, it is not democratic,” he said.

    George called on the National Assembly to ensure devolution of powers and electoral reforms that would do away with manual collation of election results and mandate electronic transmission of election results from polling units.

    George disagreed with political watchers saying no  vacancy in  presidency in 2027.

    On the dwindling strength of the former ruling party, George, who noted that all organisations had its ups and downs, said that selfish interests and disregard for  party rules remained PDP’s major challenge.

    He said that PDP could bounce back and win presidential election if the leadership decided to elevate national interest above selfish interests and adhere to the party’s constitution.

    “We will tell ourselves some serious old truth. We messed ourselves  up. ” he said.

    Stating, however, that the PDP was not dead, George said that lack of justice, equity, fairness and the inability to adhere to the  party’s zoning and rotational principle cost the party victory in 2023.

    Calling on the party’s founding fathers alive to wake up and rescue the party, George said that Nigerians were still waiting for the former ruling party to take over power and put things right.

  • What PDP must do to rescue Nigeria from APC’s vicious grip – Bode George

    What PDP must do to rescue Nigeria from APC’s vicious grip – Bode George

    Chief Bode George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), says all is not well with the former ruling party because of selfish interests.

    George, who made this remark at a news conference to commemorate his 79th birthday on Thursday in Lagos, said that PDP members and leaders must use the forthcoming National Convention to rescue the party.

    “As a loyal party man who lives, thinks, talks, breathes and defends PDP, I have never left this party since it was formed; so today gives me a great opportunity to deliberate on the future of our party.

    “Even as elders of the party are preparing to meet on Nov. 28 in Abuja to chart the way forward, I owe it a duty to declare openly that all is not well with our party. In fact, our party is derailing.

    “This is unfortunate because the crisis in our party has further complicated the present tragedy in the socio-economic indices of our dear nation.

    “I am raising the alarm today that our party is at the precipice of a dangerous looming crisis, if pending critical party issues are not urgently addressed,” he said.

    George, a life member of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), said that while the party leadership was trying its best to ensure all members had a sense of belonging, some ‘desperados’ were doing everything possible to thwart their efforts.

    Calling for a united PDP, George said that the party’s founding fathers who had gone to the world beyond would be crying in their graves because PDP has become “a shadow of itself due to selfish interests of some members”.

    He described as disheartening and pitiable, a situation where some pretentious members, were already working for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the build-up to the 2027 elections.

    “They have one leg in PDP and another leg in APC. Such chameleonic characters are the ones trying to dictate the direction of this party.

    “In the name of everything that is dear to our great party, this pretension must be stopped immediately by patriotic members of this party.

    “Since the first elective convention of our party in 1999 when PDP was handed over to some of us as national officers, we have never had it this bad.

    “If the PDP must rescue Nigerians from the vicious grip of APC in 2027, this must be a major agenda during our NEC meeting in Abuja,” George said.

    Expressing belief that PDP was the only party that could save Nigeria, George said that the party must be ready to seize the opportunity to move the country forward.

    According to him, the party must not allow disloyal elements to continue to use the platform for their selfish interests, saying “disloyalty is a very grave offence”.

    He added: “Unless we are united, with equity, fairness and justice being the pedestal for any political decision taken, this party will be heading to disaster in 2027.

    “If we want to win the 2027 presidential election, we should not allow ourselves to be divided and those with divisive tendencies should be told in clear language that ‘Enough is Enough’.

    “We must change the narratives now so that we don’t embark on a suicide mission, a self-destructive journey for our party in 2027.

    “With the suffering in the land and the mismanagement of the economy, Nigerians are waiting for us in 2027 to kick APC out of Aso Rock.”

    He urged the party members and leaders from the North to the South to use the forthcoming PDP’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting as golden opportunity before the next general elections in 2027, “to bury our differences and put on our thinking caps.”

    According to him, the party should do everything humanly possible to ensure that the PDP does not go into the dustbin of history in 2027.

    On political crisis in Rivers and the feud between Gov. Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor and Minister of FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, the PDP leaders urged Wike to “cool off immediately”.

    Urging party leaders not to treat Fubara like an outcast, George called on all party leaders to rise up in defence of the general interest of the party and sanity.

    “We should not allow the collective unity of this party to be fragmented. How we collectively address the issues at stake will be a major determinant of the fate of this party in months and years to come.

    “It is our determination to ensure that the PDP returns to the Presidential Villa in Abuja on May 29, 2027 but, we can only go back to Aso Rock if we are united, not divided.

    He urged party elders such as Bamanga Tukur, Jim Nwobodo, Ahmadu Ali, Prof. Jerry Gana, Jonah Jang, Peter Odili, James Ibori, former President Goodluck Jonathan and ex-Vice President Namadi Sambo to rise up to the challenges.

    The PDP chieftain also urged Victor Attah, Donald Duke, Okwesilieze Nwodo, Ibrahim Shema, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Saka Balogun, Ebenezer Babatope, Bello Haliru, Sen. Adolphus Wabara, Ahmed Makarfi and others not to keep quiet.

    George called on the Chairman of the PDP BoT to invite all the afore mentioned elders for a meeting on the way forward before the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.

    “We cannot afford to fail and disappoint our founding fathers. Let me state categorically that, Nigerians are waiting for us in 2027 but we must put our house in order.

    “As leaders, we must not allow anybody to destroy our party because PDP is the only true national party.

    The event was attended by some PDP chieftains and members in the state including the 2023 Governorship Candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Gbadebo Rhodes- Vivour.

  • Bode George faults Wike, Fayose for degrading PDP

    Bode George faults Wike, Fayose for degrading PDP

    Former Deputy National Chairman (South-West) of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Bode George, has expressed disappointment over the show of allegiance openly displayed by former Ekiti Governor, Ayo Fayose, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)

    While Fayose has openly promised to back Governor Biodun Oyebanji, Wike, on the other hand, said he had no regret for working for the victory of President Bola Tinubu, whom he swore to continue supporting.

    George admitted that he found their behaviour appalling, lamenting that their endorsement is degrading the party before the Nigerian voting public.

    The PDP chieftain disclosed this when he was featured as a guest on Monday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today.

    He said, “If it is true that former Governor Fayose openly rejected the party and said he is going to work for the APC governor, he has defined his direction. From his ward, they should make arrangements for an investigation within the confine of Ekiti State before they report. I am sure there are a lot of old hands, too, in Ekiti.

    “Even Ayo knows that you cannot say you are a member of this party, a two-term governor, to now say you are working openly for the governor of the opposition party, something is wrong.

    “On that of Wike, I take it that we can still resolve this crisis because people are talking (about) what he is doing. I don’t agree with what he is doing now. As an elder of the party, it is degrading the PDP before the electorate and we need to convince the electorate. The party is like a family. When you have a problem within the family, do you go to the marketplace to start talking and whining?”

    George also lashed out at the APC, saying there is nothing special about the ruling party.

    According to him, even a crisis-ridden PDP is a far better option than the APC, which he claimed was an aggregation of ‘strange bedfellows.’

    “Is the APC party better than us even with this crisis? Are they any better? Their party is a congregation of strange bedfellows.

    “Ganduje can’t even manage the party. But we should be able to rise above this pettiness and selfishness on all sides so the party can realign itself,” he stated.

  • How Tinubu stopped me from fleeing Nigeria – Bode George

    How Tinubu stopped me from fleeing Nigeria – Bode George

    Bode George, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has revealed that President Bola Tinubu sent his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila to beg him against leaving Nigeria due to his emergence as president.

    The PDP chieftain who appeared on The Morning Show, a breakfast programme on Arise News Television, on Wednesday, took time to explain why he still in Nigeria more than one year after Tinubu became President, despite threatening to leave the country should he emerge so.

    He spoke against the backdrop of comments by Nyesom Wike, former Governor of Rivers State and now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who had last week wondered why George had not left the country as he promised upon which he dismissed his suggestion that the former governor should allow Sim Fubara, his successor to take charge of the PDP structure in the state as unserious, coming from a man who could not keep his words.

    Speaking on the issue, George, former Military Governor of Ogun State and leader of the PDP in Lagos, told his hosts how Femi Gbajabiamila, former Speaker of the House of Representatives and now Chief of Staff to Tinubu, was sent by the President to practically beg him to shelve the plans.

    The party leader also spoke of how some other Yoruba leaders also led a delegation to his Lagos home to persuade him to soft-pedal, saying it was on account of that that he dumped the plan, adding that he truly meant leaving Nigeria

    George, who described Nigeria under Tinubu as a mess, particularly bewailed the current suffering Nigerians had been subjected to, saying this was enough reasons for the PDP to put its acts together in order to ensure a change of guard at the Presidency by 2027.

    He also explained his earlier statement a few months ago that the President should be given some time, arguing that what he suggested was time enough to learn the ropes in his wider assignment of presiding over the affairs of more than 250 million Nigerians from all ethnic persuasions as different from being governor of Lagos.

    In this regard, he stressed what he suggested was just one year, which he said was long enough to serve as a learning curve, adding that with the picture of things in the country, it had shown that the President really learnt nothing.

  • Rivers State: Bode George sends strong message to Wike

    Rivers State: Bode George sends strong message to Wike

    A former PDP Deputy National Chairman, Chief Olabode George has advised the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, to ceasefire and allow Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers to work for the people of the State.

    George made this appeal in a statement on Monday in Lagos, following the latest crisis in the state as a result of the local government election.

    George, a PDP Board of Trustees (BOT) member, also called on President Bola Tinubu to advise Wike, the immediate past Rivers governor. to make efforts towards ending the political tension in the state.

    He said that this had become imperative now that people of Rivers had boldly asserted their  civic and constitutional rights by coming out  to vote in the Saturday’s Local Government election.

    “This is the time for former governor of the state and now FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to allow Gov. Siminalayi Fubara to work and deliver dividends of democracy to the people.

    “This is also the time for President Bola Tinubu to advise Wike, who is one of his ministers, to allow the governor to work.

    “I say this with all sense of responsibility because if this democracy is truncated, God forbid,  Tinubu, as the Commander-in-Chief, will be the biggest loser,” George said.

    According to him, all lovers of democracy know that if the  political happenings  in Rivers  could  lead to the re-enactment of the crisis in the defunct Western Region between 1962 and 1966,if allowed to continue.

    He said the crisis eventually led to the first military coup of Jan. 15, 1966.

    The PDP chieftain recalled how some national figures were killed and how the crisis led to a second coup on July 29, 1966, which also claimed the lives of many military officers.

    “Since history is no longer taught in our schools, I want to remind the gladiators in this Rivers crisis that the January and July 1966 killings eventually led to the civil war between July 6, 1967 and Jan.15, 1970.

    “Close to two million Nigerians died in the war. I am raising this alarm because what is happening in Rivers now  is a cause for serious concern for everyone.

    “My understanding of this man-made crisis  is that there is a despotic, divisive, wicked and anti-people design to create a conflagration which may eventually consume our country.

    “We all know the economic importance of Rivers to the survival of this nation. It is the gateway to the Niger Delta.

    “Any threat to peace in this state will eventually lead to huge security implications, not only for Nigeria but West Africa and Africa,” he said.

    According to him, it is good to have political ambition, but this ambition must not be at variance with the expectations of the people.

    He said that some analysts had linked the happenings in Rivers to 2027 elections’ calculations.

    George added: “I believe it is too early to start strategising for a partisan event which is still close to 28 months away.

    “One thing is clear: Nyesom Wike was governor of the state for eight years. He left the Government House in May last year and today, he is the FCT Minister.

    “Sir Peter Odili and Rotimi Amaechi were governors before him. Now that Governor Fubara is the Chief Executive of the state, he should be allowed to work. Nobody stays in office forever.

    “By 2027, people of Rivers will decide, through their votes, if they want him to return to office or not. This is how political issues and ambitions are handled in civilised climes.”

    He said that the way the partisan crisis was going, if not checked, might collapse Nigeria’s democracy.

    “Now that council chairmen and councillors have been elected, I appeal to Nyesom Wike to please give peace a chance. Tinubu must also call Wike and tell him to allow the governor to work.

    “I am appealing to Wike to please let this crisis be a thing of the past. The democracy we enjoy today, many people suffered to bring it to fruition. Some even died.

    “We should not be seen to be dancing on their graves because of partisan interests. Only God knows what will happen in 2027 because He is greater, wiser and more powerful than all of us.”

    He advised the new Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun to call some judicial officers to order over conflicting court orders.

    “Once again, I am appealing to Wike to look at the larger interests in this crisis. He should not allow himself to be used and dumped by the APC.

    “The political storm in Rivers must disappear immediately, in the interest of all Nigerians,” he said.

    There have been lingering political crisis in the state,emanating from the frictions between Fubara and his predecessor, Wike.

  • It is insensitive to be talking about 2027- Atiku replies Bode George

    It is insensitive to be talking about 2027- Atiku replies Bode George

    Ex-vice President Atiku Abubakar has replied to criticism from former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, by suggesting that George should turn his attention to advising President Bola Tinubu on reassessing policies that have exacerbated poverty and divisions in Nigeria rather than focusing on the 2027 elections.

    George stated that a Southerner should occupy the presidency from 2023 to 2031, citing the PDP constitution and political realities.

    He also mentioned that by 2027, Abubakar would be 81 years old and should follow the example of President Joe Biden, who has encouraged younger candidates to seek high office.

    But reacting to Bode George’s statement Atiku through his media adviser Paul Ibe, emphasised that his focus is not on 2027 but on addressing current issues affecting Nigerians.

    “We cannot afford to put the cart before the horse. At this point, Atiku Abubakar’s preoccupation is not 2027. His concern is about 2024.

    “It is about 2025 and 2026 and beyond. His concern is about the plight of Nigerians who are literally going through hell because of the failed trial-and-error policies of this administration,” Ibe stated.

    Ibe criticised George for discussing 2027 while Nigeria is grappling with severe economic hardships under the current administration.

    “It is insensitive to be talking about 2027 now when the 2023 mandate has not yielded any tangible benefits for Nigerians, who are now far worse off in every facet of life,” Ibe said.

    He further urged George to focus on counselling President Tinubu to reconsider policies that have worsened the economic situation and deepened societal divisions, adding, “Bode George himself should also turn his attention to counselling Tinubu to reassess some of his ill-advised policies that have deepened poverty and divisions in our country instead of prioritising the politics of 2027.”

     

  • Bode George to Atiku: You cannot be president in 2027

    Bode George to Atiku: You cannot be president in 2027

    Chief Bode George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has said former Vice President Atiku Abubakar cannot contest for president in 2027. Bode George stressed Atiku must wait till 2031 if he must contest for president again.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Atiku was the PDP Presidential Candidate in the 2023 general elections, who lost, along with Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party, to President Bola Tinubu.

    George, in a statement on Wednesday, said that a southerner must occupy the office of the President and Commander in Chief from 2023 to 2031, saying “that is the reality of our country, PDP constitution and our polity”.

    “Even in 2027, Atiku will be 81 years and this is the time for him to embrace the President Joe Biden concept of allowing the younger generation to run for the highest office in the land. I have nothing personal against Alhaji Abubakar. He is my friend but the truth must be told. By 2027, by God’s Grace, I will also be in my 80s.

    “So, what am I looking for in public office as an octogenarian? The same principle should apply to Alhaji Abubakar. We all saw what American President, Joe Biden, did recently when he stepped down for Kamala Harris to contest the November presidential election.

    “That is the hallmark of a statesman. Alhaji Abubakar should do same so that in 2027, PDP will field a southerner as presidential candidate,” George, a former military governor of Ondo State, said.

    According to him, the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner from Katsina State, just left office after ruling for eight years. He said that power at the federal level could not go to the North in 2027 because “that is the reality of our country and our party’s constitution”.

    George said that Section 7, Sub-section 3 (C) of the PDP Constitution stated that zoning and rotation must be maintained for justice, fairness and equity.

    He added: “In our party, this is the right and logical thing to do in the present political circumstances. But if Alhaji Abubakar is desperate to contest again, I will advise him as a friend, a party man and brother to wait till 2031. By then, he will be 85 years.

    “As loyal party members, we must continue to respect PDP Constitution. Fair is fair. I joined the PDP in 1998 and I have remained in this party since.”

    The PDP chieftain said that he was elected National Vice -Chairman (South-West) and later,Deputy- National Chairman and now, a member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) and one of the respected elders and credible voices of our party.

    He said: “I have not defected to any other party. While I was in Wadata Plaza, Alhaji Abubakar was in the Villa as Vice President. So, we know ourselves and the two of us know the principles guiding this party.

    “We should not do anything that will destroy our party and the country. In 2027, the concept of Turn-by-Turn Nigeria Limited must be strictly followed by our party.

    “PDP must look for a southerner to wrest power from the APC because that party of strange bed fellows wants to destroy this country, economically and politically.

    “So, Nigerians are waiting for us to rescue them in 2027 but a southerner must lead the battle,” he said.

    George described as laughable, a report by Abubakar’s media adviser, Mr Paul Ibe, calling him (George) a tribal bigot, over his position on power rotation.

    “I read a report by one of Alhaji Abubakar’s media aides accusing me of tribalism,  I just laughed. My best friend today is a Fulani man, Admiral Murtala Nyako.

    “I was the Director-General of the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Presidential Campaign Organisation for the 2007 elections. The late president trusted me. So, I cannot be accused of being tribalistic.

    “I also served the military well. My records are there for all to see. But, you know in politics, people can say anything to tarnish your image. Despite that, the truth must be told. What you will not accept, don’t give to others.

    “I can boldly say that I am a detribalised Nigerian and a committed  member of the PDP. I don’t harbour any disdain or hate for Alhaji Abubakar or any other PDP member,” he said.

    George urged every member of the party to” embrace and respect the entrenched principles of zoning and rotation, bestowed on the party by our founding fathers since inception in 1998, “no matter whose ox is gored.

    “The principles explicitly stipulate that, at the end of every eight years, all elective and party offices should change from the northern divide to the southern divide  and vice versa. That is the position which I will continue to champion till thy kingdom come!,” he said.

  • Fuel subsidy: Bode George blasts Tinubu for lack of transparency

    Fuel subsidy: Bode George blasts Tinubu for lack of transparency

    A former chairman of People Democratic Party, (PDP) Bode George, has challenged President Bola Tinubu to disclose the true state of fuel subsidy to Nigerians.

    George said Tinubu should tell Nigerians if his administration still pays subsidy on fuel through the back-doors.

    Speaking on Arise Television, the PDP Chieftain blasted Tinubu’s administration for lack of transparency.

    There have been reports that the Tinubu government secretly returned the fuel subsidy regime.

    Former governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda accused the Federal Government of paying more for fuel subsidy than before.

    Amid this claim, the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun disclosed that Nigeria currently spends $600m on fuel importation monthly.

    Reacting, George said: “I’m so miffed about the goings on about this particular industry. On one side you hear the subsidy is still there, on another side you hear that there is no subsidy, who is telling the truth?

    “Let us know the truth for God’s sake, it is our fundamental right and if the people know what the truth is, they will support you to succeed.

    “The NNPCL is owned by the Federal government which means it is owned by all Nigerians, we want to know what exactly is going on there.

    “I’m not in that field of operation, but I’m educated enough to listen to A and listen to B and then conclude in mind if there is need to support the operations or the policies of the government we will and if there are shortfalls in what they are telling us, we will say.”