Chief Bode George, a prominent figure in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a member of its Board of Trustees, elaborated on his disagreement with Nyesom Wike, whom he initially supported against Atiku Abubakar during the 2023 presidential election.
In an interview on Arise TV on January 31, 2025, the Lagos-based politician criticized the former national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, and Atiku for undermining the party’s zoning arrangements, which he identified as the fundamental cause of the ongoing crisis.
George remarked, “The presidential candidate and the party chairman both campaigned in the northern zone, which we opposed. My shift in support was not a mere switch to Wike or Atiku; I engaged in discussions with both, alongside Ayu, and they ultimately derailed the established system.”
Initially, George aimed to persuade Atiku and Ayu to reconsider their strategies, but they disregarded his counsel. Disheartened by their conduct at the party convention, he eventually aligned himself with Wike. However, he later distanced himself from Wike’s faction upon discovering their preference for Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate.
He recalled, “During a meeting with Wike’s supporters, I was designated as a leader. Ultimately, they favored Bola as the superior candidate. I cautioned them that if they made their views public, I would publicly refute their assertions. They were unaware of his background; I am familiar with his methods from his tenure as governor of my state.”
