Why I Fell Out with Wike After Backing Him Against Atiku – Bode George

Chief Bode George, a senior figure in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a member of its Board of Trustees, has explained why he distanced himself from Nyesom Wike, despite initially supporting him against Atiku Abubakar in the lead-up to the 2023 presidential election.

Speaking on Arise TV on Friday, January 31, 2025, George traced the PDP’s internal crisis to its 2022 national convention. He claimed that the party’s leadership, particularly its former national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, and Atiku, disrupted the zoning arrangement by allowing both the presidential ticket and the party chairmanship to be held by northerners. This, he said, led to deep divisions within the party.

George stated that he initially backed Wike and his faction out of frustration with Atiku and Ayu’s actions. He emphasized that his support for Wike was not a personal preference but a response to what he saw as a violation of PDP’s internal fairness. However, he eventually withdrew his support when he realized that Wike’s camp was considering backing Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate.

Recounting the turning point, George said Wike’s faction appointed him as a leader during their meetings. However, when they suggested that Tinubu was a preferable candidate, he firmly opposed them. He warned that he would publicly counter their stance if they proceeded with their decision, emphasizing his firsthand experience with Tinubu’s leadership in Lagos.