Bode George dismisses PDP collapse rumours, slams secretariat blockade

Veteran politician and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has dismissed claims suggesting the party has lost relevance in Nigeria’s political landscape, describing such notions as “first-class dreaming.”

Speaking on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” on Monday, George—who serves as a member of the PDP’s Board of Trustees (BoT)—reaffirmed the party’s resilience and institutional depth, countering perceptions that the PDP is a spent force.

“No way. Those are dreamers. I’m telling you they are first-class dreamers,” George asserted. “In political management, ownership structure, camaraderie — what we have in the PDP, they don’t have. The PDP is the Iroko political party of Nigeria. Its roots are deep, and its foundations remain intact.”

The elder statesman also reacted to the recent police blockade at the PDP Wadata Plaza national secretariat in Abuja, describing the event as “disgraceful” and an affront to democratic norms. George, visibly agitated, likened the experience of being denied entry to the secretariat to being shut out of one’s own home.

“It’s like going back to your home and suddenly it’s surrounded by police. I thought, ‘What in the globe is happening?’” he recounted.

The incident, which occurred ahead of the party’s 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, forced the PDP to relocate its BoT meeting to the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja’s Central Business District.

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“There’s no organisation in the world without crisis,” George noted. “The most sensible thing is to come back, close the door, speak some home truths, debate, and unite — and that is what we’ve done today.”

Addressing reporters, George condemned the police presence at the PDP headquarters, warning that such actions could spark unnecessary tensions.

“This is our property. Was there any court order stopping us from meeting in our office? Nigerians are watching. You want to turn us into North Korea or Russia? We will not allow it,” he declared.

While the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command later denied sealing off the premises, its spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, explained that the officers were deployed strictly to maintain peace and prevent intrusions by unauthorized individuals.

However, several party stakeholders, including George, BoT member Maina Chiroma, and former National Secretary Umar Tsauri, interpreted the police deployment as an act of intimidation. Tsauri disclosed that police officers told them they were acting on “orders from above.”

Despite the initial disruption, the PDP managed to convene its 100th NEC session later that day after the police were withdrawn.

According to Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, the meeting focused solely on scheduling the next NEC gathering, set for July 23, 2025, where pressing issues, including plans for the national convention and party leadership, will be deliberated.

The meeting ended with a reaffirmation of Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s position as National Secretary, although the leadership tussle over that role remains unresolved.

Two individuals — Senator Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye — continue to claim the National Secretary post, despite a Supreme Court judgment delivered in March.

READ ALSO: Bode George warns PDP: “Atiku’s candidacy in 2027 could spell doom for the Party”

Both factions interpret the verdict differently, and the matter is now before the Federal High Court in Abuja, with the next hearing scheduled for September 22, 2025.

Speaking after the meeting, Bauchi State Governor and Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Senator Bala Mohammed, downplayed the police presence, claiming it was meant to forestall disruptions by non-party actors.

Still, party leaders like George expressed concern that such heavy-handed tactics could further strain internal unity and damage public confidence in the nation’s democratic process.

“We have taken some knocks, but the PDP remains the most structured and experienced party in this country,” George insisted. “We will rise above this moment, as we always have.”

As the PDP prepares for its next key leadership meetings, the party faces a critical test — not only to resolve its internal divisions but to reaffirm its role as Nigeria’s leading opposition force.