A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, has accused elements within Nigeria’s political system of undermining opposition parties, warning that such actions threaten the country’s democracy.

Speaking in an interview on Arise News on Tuesday, George said weakening the opposition would have serious consequences for democratic governance.

“It is not good to weaken the opposition,” he said. “That is not good for democracy.”

George made the remarks while responding to questions about whether the current administration is contributing to instability within opposition parties. While acknowledging internal challenges, he insisted that external interference cannot be ignored.

“You don’t need to look far to see the shenanigans that are going on,” he said.

Citing a recent development involving the PDP’s national secretariat, George expressed concern over the role of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike

“Last week, Wike was handed over the party secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party. This is a property that was bought and paid for by the founding fathers of this party,” he said. “By 1999, we paid for it. We have the certificate of occupancy. During the crisis, it was shut down.”

He questioned how the situation unfolded, linking it to Wike’s current position in government.

“If Wike was not the Minister of the FCT, do you think this would have been possible?” George asked. “Being a minister does not entitle him—because he belongs to another political tendency—to use that office to decimate the development and evolution of a political structure in Nigeria.”

George also criticised what he described as factional activities within the PDP, questioning their legitimacy and scale.

“It bothers me beyond my comprehension,” he said. “How many of them are there? They said they had a NEC meeting there. How many of them? Is that the standard expected of our party?”

He further alleged that there may be tacit encouragement from the presidency.

“Please, Mr President, the encouragement is virtually coming from the Villa,” George said. “You hear ‘the hand of Jacob, the voice of Esau.’ That biblical saying applies here, and it is more than enough.”

On claims of reconciliation within the PDP, George dismissed assertions that unity efforts are underway, particularly those linked to Wike.

“Has he not expressly told them that he supports the president to win the next election?” he asked. “What kind of unity is he talking about?”

While reaffirming that the PDP remains a political family capable of resolving its internal disputes, George insisted that the party must directly confront actions by members that contradict its core interests.

The remarks highlight deepening divisions within the PDP and raise broader concerns about the state of opposition politics in Nigeria as the country looks ahead to future elections. (AriseNews TV)

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