Why I Will Never Leave PDP – Bode George

 

Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, has declared that he will never leave the party, regardless of its challenges.

 

Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos, George dismissed speculations about his defection amid the PDP’s ongoing leadership crisis. He insisted that the party’s internal issues would be resolved and that it would emerge stronger.

 

“I can’t leave PDP, I can’t. Every other party is just a collection of strange bedfellows. They lack the principles we uphold in our party,” George said. “Why would I leave a solid foundation for uncertainty? I would rather retire from politics than abandon PDP.”

 

He criticized those leaving the party over its challenges, arguing that their commitment to PDP was never strong in the first place. According to him, many who defected have come to realize that PDP remains the only party with true internal democracy.

 

George also pointed to the late Chief Alex Ekwueme’s inability to secure the PDP presidential ticket twice as proof that the party is not built around individuals. He argued that personal ambitions should never override the collective interest of the party.

 

When asked if PDP missed high-profile defectors like Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, George said the party did not miss individuals but rather the selfless leadership and dedication of its founding fathers.

 

He emphasized the need for party unity, consensus-building, and discipline, citing Ekwueme’s exemplary conduct. “Ekwueme contested against Obasanjo, accepted his loss, and never attempted to destroy the party,” George noted.

 

He concluded by urging PDP members to prioritize the party’s long-term stability over personal ambitions, stressing that internal dialogue and collective responsibility remain crucial to overcoming its current challenges.