The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has hit back at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over his claim that he had no regret blocking the national chairmanship ambition of former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Chief Bode George.
The Lagos PDP, in an open letter signed by its Publicity Secretary, Prince Christopher Odianarewo, described Wike’s comments as evidence of an “obsession” with George, accusing the minister of attempting to rewrite the political history of the party.
Reacting to Wike’s statement issued through his spokesman, Lere Olayinka, on Friday, the party said George had never needed Wike to teach him political sacrifice, arguing that the Lagos politician voluntarily stepped down his ambition in the interest of fairness, unity and stability within the PDP.
“You did not ‘block’ Bode George from anything,” the statement declared, insisting that George’s aspiration to lead the PDP nationally was legitimate and pursued within the provisions of the party’s constitution.
The Lagos PDP also questioned Wike’s account that he personally visited George’s Abuja residence after the party’s convention to appease him. According to the party, the visit contradicted Wike’s current portrayal of George as politically irrelevant.
“If he was truly the ‘failed politician’ you now portray him to be, why were you, as a sitting governor, personally visiting his home?” the party asked, adding that Wike’s action at the time suggested that he recognised George’s political stature and influence.
The party further rejected Wike’s claim that the PDP’s electoral decline since 2003 could be attributed to George, describing such a position as a distortion of the party’s history.
It noted that the PDP continued to win elections in Lagos after 2003 and had elected representatives in the House of Representatives, Lagos State House of Assembly and local government councils.
The party also dismissed Wike’s reference to George’s polling unit results, arguing that political relevance could not be measured solely by the number of votes recorded at an individual’s polling unit.
“Leadership is bigger than a polling unit. Political history is bigger than a polling unit,” the statement said, maintaining that George’s contributions to Lagos politics and the PDP could not be erased by isolated election figures.
On Wike’s reference to another Lagos PDP figure, Deji Doherty, the party said it would not attach undue importance to the issue, while questioning the electoral strength of those being presented as political leaders in Lagos.
The Lagos PDP accused Wike of attempting to impose what it described as a “Rivers political mentality” on Lagos and urged him to concentrate on his responsibilities as FCT Minister.
“Lagos has its own people, its own history, its own political structures and, most importantly, its own destiny,” the party said.
It added: “You cannot impose your Rivers political mentality on Lagos. LAGOS NO BE RIVERS.”
The party maintained that George did not need Wike’s permission, endorsement or validation to remain politically relevant, insisting that disagreements within the PDP should not be used to diminish the contributions of its members.
