Wike still our party member, he informed PDP before accepting ministerial position – Bode George
A prominent figure in the Peoples Democratic Party, Bode George, has referred to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike as an authentic party member, asserting that Wike is not operating against the party.
George stated this while speaking during an interview on Arise Television.
The elder statesman noted that Wike, a former Governor of Rivers State, had written a letter to the party, stating his intention to work in the ruling All Progressive Congress government of President Bola Tinubu.
When asked if the minister is working against the party, The former National Vice Chairman of the PDP (Southwest) said, “That’s exactly what I’m driving at. They (Wike and Atiku) just didn’t get out in different directions, something happened. And the party leaders must come down, do an in-depth post-mortem analysis of what happened.”
Justifying Wike’s appointment in the APC-led government, George said, “Once party A wins an election, it opens the door to say, ‘Let’s have a united group.
“When Obasanjo won the election in 1999, he invited people from ANPP, APGA, AD,” citing examples of the late Chief Bola Ige who served as the Attorney-General of the Federation, while he was a member of the Alliance for Democracy.
“We can’t just have a Berlin wall to say that once you’re a member of this, you can’t serve there. The fact that you’re serving there doesn’t mean you’ve left your party.
“According to Wike, he wrote a letter to serve in the APC government. He still plays the music. How can he work against the PDP? I don’t believe it,” adding that “there are issues to be sorted out.”
On the status of the PDP in Lagos State, George said, “I just came back from Ibadan where we had an elders’ meeting in respect to discordant voices that are coming out from Ondo State. People should get back to their various Local Governments and contribute their quota.
“It’s unfair for committed members of the party to make such assertions in public. Discipline is part of the management in any organsation. What Pearse said isn’t correct,” adding that the party leadership is working on numerous reformations.
He described the meeting held in Oyo State, chaired by Governor Seyi Makinde as a “brilliant move.”
George stated that the party is committed to “forge ahead” amidst its troubles, urging leaders to work according to the constitution.