The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday sharply criticised Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike over his recent comments about former PDP Deputy National Chairman Chief Olabode George.
In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Dr Christopher Odianarewo, the party described Wike’s remarks as revealing an ongoing obsession with George rather than the focus expected of a serving minister. The response followed comments by Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, in which the minister said he had no regrets about blocking George’s bid for the PDP national chairmanship and dismissed him as lacking electoral value.
Odianarewo noted that George had legitimately expressed interest in leading the party but stepped down in the interest of unity and fairness. He questioned Wike’s claim of personally stopping the aspiration, asking who appointed the minister the owner of the PDP or gave him authority to decide which party members’ ambitions should succeed or fail.
The Lagos PDP also highlighted what it called contradictions in Wike’s position. It pointed to the minister’s earlier visit to George’s residence in Abuja after a party convention to “appease” him, asking why a sitting governor would make such a visit if George were truly politically irrelevant.
On electoral history, the party rejected attempts to blame George for the PDP’s setbacks in Lagos after 2003. It stated that the party had continued to win seats in subsequent elections at the House of Representatives, State House of Assembly and local government levels, and accused Wike of selective and dishonest historical interpretation.
Odianarewo dismissed efforts to reduce George’s decades of service to votes recorded in a single polling unit as intellectually weak. He argued that leadership and political contribution cannot be measured by isolated election figures alone.
The statement further advised Wike to concentrate on his responsibilities in Abuja and leave Lagos politics alone. “You cannot impose your Rivers political mentality on Lagos. Lagos no be Rivers,” it said, adding that the Lagos PDP would not be intimidated by threats, insults or attempts to rewrite its history.
George, the party insisted, does not require Wike’s permission, endorsement or validation to remain relevant or to contribute to Nigeria’s democratic development.
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