A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Bode George, has rejected the call for the suspension of the party’s national convention scheduled to hold on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

PUNCH Online had earlier reported that former Senate President Bukola Saraki urged the PDP leadership to suspend the planned convention and set up a caretaker committee, while receiving members of the party’s Board of Trustees Reconciliation Team at his Abuja residence on Wednesday.

Saraki had warned that the existence of conflicting court orders regarding the validity of the convention posed serious risks to the legitimacy of any outcomes from the exercise.

However, in an interview with ARISE News on Thursday, George dismissed the call to suspend the convention and set up a caretaker National Working Committee, insisting that such measures were unnecessary and unconstitutional.

The PDP chieftain stated that the party remained united despite ongoing internal disputes among some members.

“You know, in this country, it amazes me the way people roll around purely for their selfish ends. I am this — the senator you mentioned, Saraki. He set up the first committee for reconciliation.

“That’s quite a while. So what has he done? Telling us on the eve of the convention that we should go and form a caretaker committee. You know, I totally disagree with him,” George said.

He maintained that the PDP’s core leadership structure was still intact, noting that most members of the NWC supported holding the convention as planned.

“The main party is still solidly intact. We are waiting for the ruling of the court in Ibadan.

“The Supreme Court has ruled that all party activities should be solved internally. The court said ‘Go to your party and resolve your issue. That’s what the Supreme Court said,” he said.

George also criticised what he described as reckless behaviour within the PDP, arguing that such conduct disrespects the legacy of the party’s founding fathers.

“You know, what is demeaning and what is annoying, and what I call existential imbecility — terrible attitudes of these people. I mean, the founding fathers, for God’s sake, will be shaking in their graves,” he said.

On calls for the postponement of the Ibadan convention, George accused certain members of acting beyond their authority.

He specifically criticised the suspended National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, for allegedly releasing an advertisement claiming that the convention had been postponed.

“How many of them are together? Let me tell you this. A few weeks ago, they had the National Working Committee meeting, with about 19 members. Only three, out of the 19, are in the Anyanwu group. That’s why I said you hear the voice of Jacob, but the hand of Esau,” he added. (PUNCH)