A prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has rejected calls for the suspension of the party’s national convention scheduled to hold on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Former Senate President Bukola Saraki had on Wednesday advised the PDP leadership to suspend the convention and constitute a caretaker committee. Saraki made the suggestion when he received members of the party’s Board of Trustees Reconciliation Team at his Abuja residence, citing conflicting court orders that could undermine the legitimacy of the convention’s outcome.
But in a Thursday interview with ARISE News, George dismissed Saraki’s advice as ill-timed and unconstitutional. He argued that the PDP remained united and that setting up a caretaker National Working Committee (NWC) was unnecessary.
“You know, in this country, it amazes me the way people roll around purely for their selfish ends. The senator you mentioned, Saraki, was the one who set up the first reconciliation committee. That’s quite a while ago. So what has he done? Now, on the eve of the convention, he’s telling us to form a caretaker committee. I totally disagree with him,” George said.
The PDP stalwart maintained that the party’s leadership structure remained intact, insisting that the majority of the NWC members supported going ahead with the convention as planned.
“The main party is still solidly intact. We are waiting for the ruling of the court in Ibadan. The Supreme Court has ruled that all party activities should be resolved internally. The court said, ‘Go to your party and resolve your issue,’” George stated.
He also condemned what he described as reckless conduct within the party, saying such behaviour dishonours the legacy of the PDP’s founding fathers.
“What is annoying and demeaning is the terrible attitude of some of our members. The founding fathers, for God’s sake, will be shaking in their graves,” he lamented.
Responding to reports suggesting that the Ibadan convention might be postponed, George accused certain members of acting outside their authority. He particularly faulted the suspended National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, for allegedly releasing an unauthorised advertisement announcing the postponement of the convention.
“How many of them are together? A few weeks ago, the National Working Committee met with about 19 members present. Only three belong to the Anyanwu group. That’s why I said you hear the voice of Jacob but the hand of Esau,” George added.
