The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed recent criticisms by its former Deputy National Chairman, Chief Bode George, saying the era when a few individuals controlled the party for personal interests has ended.
In a statement issued on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, the party described George’s comments during a recent television interview as driven by “anger, envy and resentment” rather than a genuine concern for the party.
“The PDP has moved beyond the era when a handful of self-appointed power brokers dictated the destiny of the party for their personal convenience,” the statement said, adding that leadership was no longer anyone’s “perpetual entitlement.”
The party accused George of abandoning constructive criticism in favour of personal attacks and inflammatory remarks, saying his comments fell short of the conduct expected of an elder statesman.
Defending the leadership of National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed, the PDP said the current National Working Committee had conducted one of the party’s smoothest primary elections in recent years despite political and legal challenges.
It also maintained that court rulings and the recognition of the party’s leadership by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) affirmed the legitimacy of the current leadership.
The PDP further said it remained ready to defend its mandate through all legal means, stressing that no amount of media criticism would reverse lawful decisions or derail the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The party also took a swipe at George’s political record in Lagos State and recalled his unfulfilled vow to leave Nigeria if President Bola Tinubu won the 2023 presidential election, describing his latest comments as “expressions of personal frustration rather than objective commentary.”
“History is moving forward. The PDP is moving forward. Those unwilling to embrace that reality are free to remain behind,” the statement concluded.
