Chief Bode George, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, shared his thoughts with Ayo Olasupo on the declaration of Bola Tinubu as president‑elect and other national issues. He described the presidential and National Assembly elections held on Saturday as “shambolic, shameless and full of inadequacies and futility.” He expressed heartbreak, having hoped that Nigeria would advance to a civilized level where results from every polling station would be transmitted electronically, as had been done in the Anambra, Ekiti and Osun governorship elections. Instead, he lamented that the National Chairman of INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, continued with a flawed system, reverting to old practices that manipulated results.
George questioned whether anyone foresaw Atiku’s loss, noting that within the PDP he repeatedly warned that a divided house would be a defeated house. He blamed internal mismanagement and the disenfranchisement of the South‑West, observing that millions of young people, aged 18 to 35, had emerged hoping to change Nigeria’s direction, only to be let down. He argued that if the votes for Peter Obi had been added to the PDP’s, Tinubu would have been defeated, emphasizing that division led to loss. He criticized the Labour Party’s success as a symptom of fatigue with the APC and highlighted false narratives, such as the claim that Gbadebo Rhodes‑Vivour is an Igbo man.
Regarding the electoral process, George urged Yakubu and his team to use electronic transmission of results, warning that failure would sink the country. He speculated that had Obi remained in the PDP and the G‑5 governors united to address party mismanagement, the PDP might have won. He condemned the arrogance and neglect of the party’s founding principles, stating that if these attitudes persisted, he would not vote for Atiku. He questioned whether the PDP’s loss of states under G‑5 governors was intentional and reflected on his 25‑year commitment to the party’s ideals of justice, fairness and equity.
George lamented the loss of three senatorial districts and ten of fourteen House seats, calling it a tactical error. He described the APC as a “party of contraction” and suggested that the current political climate offers a lesson beyond any political science class. He expressed sadness over G‑5 governors such as Samuel Ortom and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi losing senatorial bids to opposition parties, viewing it as an attempt to eliminate key figures.
He characterized the Labour Party not as a traditional party but as a movement born from public fatigue with the PDP and APC. Younger voters, including his own children, told him they would vote for this new force. He recounted that the PDP demanded a southern presidential candidate, warning that failure to do so would alienate the South‑West. He prayed for Governor Seyi Makinde’s re‑election, acknowledging the limits of his influence.
On the Lagos governorship, George noted the PDP’s historic inability to win the state and attributed the Labour Party’s victory to the same flawed electoral process used elsewhere. He attributed the result to the anger of the youth, especially the #EndSARS generation, who were tired of both major parties. He suggested the PDP should regroup, prioritize tactical planning, and avoid tribal threats. While uncertain about a possible PDP‑LP collaboration in Lagos, he emphasized the need for honesty, fairness and divine guidance in the electoral system.
When asked about former Ekiti governor Ayo Fayose’s call for Ayu’s resignation, George declined to take a side, preferring a post‑mortem analysis rather than newspaper commentary. He stressed that the party must address the methodology used by INEC in court, as manipulation is unacceptable. Regarding Tinubu’s presidency, George said he does not know what Tinubu will deliver but wishes Nigeria the best if the court confirms the results. He reiterated his willingness to support Tinubu only if the legal process proves his victory beyond reasonable doubt.
At 80, George reflected on his life, thanking God for his 25 years in the military and 25 years in politics, and questioned why Nigerians inflict pain on themselves. He dismissed rumors that INEC chairman Yakubu met Tinubu on election night as baseless spin, calling such claims “first‑class nuisance.” He clarified that Tinubu is not from his state and urged Tinubu to be truthful about his origins.
George explained that the G‑5 and Integrity Group did not openly support any presidential candidate but agreed that the presidency should come from the South. He said the decision was for each state to devise its own tactical plan. Regarding the tribunals, he expressed uncertainty about Atiku’s or Obi’s chances, leaving the outcome to the judiciary and prayer.
When asked about his relationship with Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe and Moshood Salvador, George said he does not belong to any faction and remains proud of his principles. He confirmed he voted for Atiku and criticized the PDP’s neglect of the South‑West, noting the lack of representation from that region in the party’s ticket. He reiterated his earlier statement that he would renounce his citizenship and leave Nigeria if Tinubu became president; that plan remains unchanged, though he has no immediate desire to relocate. He concluded that after fifty years of public service, he intends to retire from partisan politics and enjoy the rest of his life.
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