Bode George, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), revealed that the party is actively engaged in reconciling with former Rivers State governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. He made this statement during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
George emphasized that the PDP is making efforts to reconcile not only with Wike but also with other members. He asserted that the party’s focus is on resolving internal conflicts and moving forward, rather than resorting to firing members.
The rift between Wike and the PDP leadership arose during the lead-up to the 2023 presidential election. Wike, along with the G-5 governors, opposed the PDP’s stance on selecting a presidential candidate from the southern region of Nigeria.
Regarding Wike’s membership in the party and calls for his sanctions, George explained that the PDP is actively working to address internal issues. He mentioned the establishment of a standing committee tasked with conducting a post-mortem analysis and potentially adding more members to facilitate reconciliation efforts.
George stressed that internal party matters should not be resolved publicly but within the party framework. He emphasized the importance of settling disputes within the PDP as a family.
Reflecting on the 2023 presidential election, where the PDP was the runner-up, George acknowledged speculation about Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president, potentially vying for the party’s flagbearer position in 2027. However, he noted that the decision would unfold over time, emphasizing that the PDP is not a private enterprise.