Elder statesman and former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has strongly criticised former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, for attending the party’s national convention organised by a faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The convention, held at the Velodrome of the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, is part of the ongoing leadership crisis within the PDP, which has seen the emergence of parallel factions laying claim to the party’s structure.
George belongs to the faction led by Tanimu Turaki, whose National Working Committee (NWC) was elected at a convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, last November. However, the Court of Appeal recently nullified that convention and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognise it.
Speaking with Daily Independent on Friday, George did not hold back in his criticism of Saraki’s actions and political conduct.
“If every other person are afraid of telling Saraki the truth, I will tell him,” George said. “First of all, I am not Saraki’s age mate in any format. All his activities throughout his journey in politics, there is no one he made in a reasonable and civilised behaviour. What else is he looking for?”
He continued: “Look at his behaviour towards his late father, what else can we say and why should we be surprised? It is shameful seeing him dancing on the podium and calling Wike his national leader. It is disgraceful, unethical.”
George further criticised Saraki’s political outlook, saying: “Saraki does not have regard for anything or anybody except himself. What will history or posterity say about him? He has totally misconceived the definition of democracy — which is the government of the people, by the people and for the people. It is not government of yourself, by yourself and for your family alone.”
Questioning Saraki’s background and competence in politics, George added: “What does Saraki know about politics? He read medicine. When was the last time he administered an injection on anyone? When his father made him the head of Societe Generale Bank, what happened to the bank? The bank died.”
He also challenged Saraki directly, stating: “If others can’t tell him one truth, I will tell him twelve. If he likes, let him confront me. I need to talk some sense into his head.”
Recalling past events within the party, George said: “I remembered when his father brought him to join the PDP. I was the National Vice Chairman South-west of the party then. When he became Kwara State governor, what was the end result of his tenure? When he manipulated the system to emerge as Senate President, what was the end result?”
He concluded with a stinging remark: “These guys should just be retired and be thrown into a dustbin and sealed or be put with a heavy anchor and be dropped at the sea. That is why this country is not growing.”
The development highlights the deepening divisions within the PDP as rival factions continue to battle for legitimacy and control of the party structure ahead of future political contests.
