RismadarVoice Reporters, August 8, 2026
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has criticised former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Bode George, saying the former Lagos politician has failed to demonstrate significant electoral influence for the party in the state.
Wike said he had no regrets about opposing George’s bid to become National Chairman of the PDP, arguing that the position was expected to go to the South-South region at the time.
The minister made the remarks in a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka.
According to Wike, George’s continued criticism of him was partly linked to his unsuccessful attempt to lead the PDP at the national level.
“His anger is because we didn’t allow him to be PDP National Chairman and no regret doing so,” Wike said.
The FCT minister alleged that George had treated the national chairmanship position as though it was his entitlement but was stopped because it was considered the turn of the South-South.
Wike also recalled visiting George at his residence in Maitama, Abuja, while serving as governor of Rivers State, in an attempt to reconcile with him following the party’s national convention.
He claimed that George’s wife initially attempted to prevent him from entering the residence before former Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, intervened.
Wike further questioned George’s political influence in Lagos, arguing that his long-standing position within the PDP had not translated into electoral victories for the party.
“We have managed him even though we know that he has no value. But as it is, since he wants to keep dancing naked in the marketplace of politics, we can’t but allow him,” the minister said.
According to Wike, political leadership should be measured by the ability to secure electoral victories rather than by an individual’s name, title or status as a founding member of a political party.
He described George’s electoral record in Lagos as poor, claiming that the former PDP chieftain had not been able to deliver even his own polling unit to the party.
Wike specifically referred to Unit 001, Ward E2, Evans Street, Lagos Island, which he said had not produced a PDP victory under George’s influence.
He cited the 2019 presidential election, claiming that the All Progressives Congress secured 84 votes at the polling unit, compared with 40 votes recorded by the PDP.
Wike added that after George reportedly transferred his voter registration to the Eti-Osa area, the PDP allegedly secured only four votes at his former polling unit during the 2023 presidential election.
The minister also linked George’s recent political activities to developments within the PDP in Lagos, particularly the emergence of Deji Doherty, whom Wike said George did not want to see take control of the party structure in the state.
Wike said George’s continued public criticism would provide opportunities for his associates to remain active in the media.
