Bode George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has strongly voiced his disappointment with the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu. Speaking candidly at his residence in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday, George expressed his dissatisfaction with Yakubu’s recent actions and remarks regarding the lessons learned from Ghana’s presidential election. He said, “I am so ashamed of INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu. He was good before, but now his performance is a bad joke.”
George’s harsh criticism centered on Yakubu’s focus on foreign elections instead of addressing the challenges within Nigeria’s own electoral system. His words painted a picture of frustration with INEC’s perceived inefficiency and the broader implications for Nigeria's democracy. George also voiced a broader political concern, predicting that Nigerians would not re-elect President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election, citing the growing dissatisfaction with his administration across the country. “The anger and the hunger are almost equal on the streets of Nigeria,” he lamented, indicating a deep sense of discontent among the population.
George further asserted that there would be a significant shift in leadership come 2027, suggesting a likely vacancy in the presidency. He stated, “There will be a vacancy in the presidency by 2027, as the people are discontented.” The political scene, according to George, is driven by widespread frustration with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which he described as a “congregation of strange bedfellows.” He suggested that the current ruling party was a collection of conflicting interests that were no longer serving the people effectively, contributing to the dissatisfaction expressed by many Nigerians.
On the topic of the internal challenges facing the PDP, George acknowledged the party's current struggles but emphasized that these issues stemmed from individual ambitions taking precedence over the collective interests of the party. In particular, he took aim at the former National Chairman of the PDP, Iyorchia Ayu, criticizing his management of the party’s affairs and the negative impact it had on the party's unity and direction. George stressed that internal discord had weakened the PDP and, if left unresolved, could hinder its chances in future elections.
Despite the ongoing internal issues, George maintained a sense of optimism about the PDP’s ability to overcome its challenges. He expressed confidence that the party could resolve its problems ahead of the 2027 elections, noting the importance of returning to the core values that initially inspired the formation of the party. George reiterated his support for the principle of power rotation between the North and South, emphasizing that this principle was rooted in the PDP’s constitution and was crucial to ensuring fairness and unity within the party.
He stated, “I call our party the Iroko because it didn’t emerge from nowhere. It is entrenched in our constitution. Section 7 (3c) of the PDP constitution mandates zoning and rotation of party positions and elective offices.” He further elaborated, saying, “Everything that has been in the South must go to the North, and vice versa. This principle of justice, equity, and fairness is what inspired some of us to join politics. We were the first to be elected in 1999 and were handed procedures and doctrines to ensure stability.”
However, George lamented that this principle had been undermined by personal ambitions and political manipulation, particularly when an individual’s presidential aspirations took precedence over the party’s collective interests. He stated, “Unfortunately, human manipulation crept in when someone decided their ambition to be president was more important than the party’s collective interest. That’s where the issues started.” He stressed the importance of returning to the party’s foundational principles in order to restore stability and unity, noting that the party’s original purpose was to promote fairness, justice, and the collective good. George’s comments underscore his belief that returning to these core values would allow the PDP to regain its footing and resolve its internal crises ahead of the 2027 elections.
