Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Bode George has affirmed Nyesom Wike’s membership in the party, dismissing claims of anti-party activities. During a live program, the elder statesman noted that Wike, the immediate past governor of Rivers State, remains a bona fide member of the PDP, despite his intention to work with the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) government of President Bola Tinubu.

George revealed that Wike had formally communicated his intention to the party, adding that there was no evidence to suggest that he was engaging in activities against the PDP.

“When asked if the minister is working against the party, the ex-Deputy Chairman (South) of the PDP submitted: ‘That’s exactly what I’m driving at. They (Wike and Atiku) just didn’t get out in different directions, something happened. And the party leaders must come down and do an in-depth post-mortem analysis of what happened,'” George said.

Justifying Wike’s appointment in the APC-led administration, George stated: “Once party A wins an election, it opens the door to say, ‘Let’s have a united group. When Obasanjo won the election in 1999, he invited people from ANPP, APGA, AD,” citing an example of the late Bola Ige, who served as Attorney-General of the Federation, and Minister of Justice, while he was a member of the Alliance for Democracy.

“We can’t just have a Berlin wall to say that once you’re a member of this, you can’t serve there. The fact that you’re serving there doesn’t mean you’ve left your party,” George emphasized.

On the status of the PDP in Lagos State, George stated: “I just came back from Ibadan where we had an elders’ meeting in respect to discordant voices that are coming out from Ondo State. People should get back to their various local governments and contribute their quota.”

He urged party members to focus on building the party at the grassroots level rather than engaging in internal disputes, emphasizing the need for unity and cohesion within the PDP.