Anti-Party Activities: Atiku, Wike Should Leave PDP Immediately, Says Bode George

The crisis within Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), deepened Wednesday following a call by elder statesman and former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Chief Bode George, demanding the immediate exit of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over what he described as “persistent and destructive anti-party activities.”

Speaking at a press briefing held at his Lagos residence, Chief George accused both political figures of sabotaging the PDP from within and called for their immediate resignation to allow for the rebuilding of what he termed “a fractured party structure.”

“Let us stop deceiving ourselves. The truth must be told: those who no longer share the vision, ideology, and direction of the Peoples Democratic Party should do the honorable thing and leave,” George declared. “Atiku Abubakar and Nyesom Wike, through their actions and utterances, have shown they no longer belong in the PDP. Their continuous presence is a disservice to the party.”

Chief George’s comments come amid growing internal divisions that have plagued the PDP since the 2023 general elections, where the party suffered a bruising defeat at the presidential polls.

Despite Atiku Abubakar emerging as the party’s presidential candidate, his loss to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) sparked fierce infighting, particularly over the party’s zoning principles and the perceived marginalization of Southern interests.

Wike, who served as governor of Rivers State until 2023, was a vocal critic of Atiku’s candidacy, leading a group known as the G5 Governors — five PDP governors who openly opposed Atiku’s bid and refused to campaign for him. Despite remaining in the PDP, Wike has since aligned himself with the Tinubu-led administration, accepting a ministerial appointment, a move that has caused further uproar within the party ranks.

“How can you be a member of the PDP and simultaneously serve in an APC government? It is the height of hypocrisy and betrayal,” George stated. “Wike’s actions are not only anti-party, but they also violate the spirit of collective responsibility. We cannot allow this double standard to continue.”
Renewed Call for Party Discipline

Chief George, a respected voice within the PDP and a strong advocate of party discipline, argued that the continued tolerance of anti-party elements would destroy the party’s credibility and unity.

“We cannot build a party on betrayal, sabotage, and personal ambition,” he said. “There must be consequences for disloyalty. If the PDP must survive and reclaim power, we must start with a moral and structural cleansing.”
George further urged the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to act decisively and enforce party rules without fear or favor. He criticized what he described as a “weak leadership structure” that has allowed impunity to flourish.

Silent Responses and Lingering Questions
As of the time of filing this report, neither Atiku Abubakar nor Nyesom Wike has issued an official response to Chief George’s remarks.

However, political analysts suggest the former Vice President may see the comments as an attempt to discredit him ahead of future political contests, while Wike’s camp has in the past dismissed similar criticisms as “empty noise.”

A PDP chieftain who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “Chief Bode George is speaking the minds of many. The party cannot move forward if we don’t deal with the internal contradictions.”

With the 2027 general elections still on the horizon but already drawing attention from political actors, George’s call has added fresh fuel to the PDP’s internal wranglings, raising questions about the party’s ability to present a united front in the years ahead.

Chief Bode George’s statement reflects a growing sense of urgency among PDP loyalists to reform the party’s structure, ideology, and discipline. Whether the party will take bold steps to heal its internal rifts or continue on its path of internal discord remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the battle for the soul of the PDP is far from over.