•Bode George
A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has downplayed the recent defection of key Delta State politicians to the All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that it poses no real threat to the opposition party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television last night, the PDP chieftain described the defections as a familiar political episode that holds little long-term consequence for the PDP.
His remarks come in the wake of the defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his deputy, Monday Onyeme, and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, along with several commissioners and political stakeholders in the state, to the APC on Wednesday.
Asked what the mass movement of PDP members in Delta —reportedly including former Governor James Ibori and other political heavyweights— says about the party’s current state, George dismissed any concerns.
“Nothing. Nothing. The fact that these guys moved en masse… the people of Delta are waiting. Because what impact has the APC, as a government, given to the people? There is anger in the land. What do you think they are going to do there, if not for personal embellishment?” the former Ondo State military governor said.
The 79-year-old added, “The people of Delta are naturally PDP members. They know the kind of positive impact they enjoyed under the PDP national government. So, if you now decide to go, we wish you the best of luck. We’ve seen it before — those who trooped out eventually came back, because they’re heading into an organisation that is so personally owned.”
When pressed further about the significance of losing such a wide array of political figures — including the vice-presidential candidate of the PDP in 2023, Okowa himself —George remained unshaken.
“Is it new in the land?” he asked rhetorically.
“You’ve forgotten the time when heavyweights left during the national convention of our party? Let me ask you — those already in APC, do you think they’ll fold their arms and say ‘welcome’? They have their ambitions too —governorship, National Assembly, local government. You can’t just waltz in and take over.”
‘Absolute Politics’
According to the PDP board of trustees (BoT) member, such defections are part and parcel of Nigeria’s political terrain and do not signify the collapse of the PDP.
“This is absolute politics. You’ll wait and see that the people of Delta will return. The will of the people is what matters in politics,” he said.
Responding to the suggestion that the latest wave of defections —including endorsements of President Bola Tinubu by PDP governors — could mark a breaking point for the party, George reiterated that the development is “merely transitional.”
“It’s an experience. We’ve gone through this before,” he said.
“It is not a threat. Just because something happens doesn’t mean it is final. Politics is not rigid; it’s dynamic.”
Referencing Okowa’s past stance during the southern governors’ meeting in Asaba — where it was agreed that the presidency should rotate to the south —George said his defection was ironic.
“Is that not the same Okowa who invited southern governors of all parties to Asaba to demand a southern presidency?” he queried.
“Then suddenly, he’s in Abuja collecting a vice-presidential ticket. It was foolish. You can’t forget that part of the history and pretend it doesn’t matter.”
The 79-year-old concluded by assuring Nigerians that the PDP would emerge stronger.
“These movements don’t scare us,” he said.
“We’ve been here before — and we know how it ends.”
