Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and restrain Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, warning that Nigeria’s democracy is “drifting dangerously.”
George made the appeal on Tuesday during a press briefing at his Ikoyi office in Lagos, where he delivered a stern address titled “State of the Nation – Dear Mr President, Our Nation Is Wobbling Politically.” He argued that the rising abuse of power and disregard for democratic norms threaten national unity.
His comments come amid renewed tensions within the PDP following the November 18 chaos at the party’s Abuja headquarters. The incident saw police fire tear gas as supporters of two rival factions — the Wike-backed bloc and the newly constituted National Working Committee (NWC) led by Kabiru Turaki — clashed after scheduling meetings for the same day.
The crisis intensified when Samuel Anyanwu, national secretary of the Wike faction, arrived at the secretariat alongside his supporters for planned BoT and NEC meetings. Heated confrontations escalated into scuffles, prompting police to shut down the secretariat entirely.
George questioned why the party headquarters was sealed without authorization from Chairman Turaki. He warned that such incidents reflect a deeper erosion of democratic values.
“To Mr President: Is this the democracy envisioned by our Constitution, or are we drifting into a governance pattern that contradicts its spirit?” he asked. “Unchecked abuses of power undermine public confidence and threaten national cohesion.”
The PDP elder said Nigeria is at a dangerous crossroads, cautioning Tinubu that failure to act could plunge the country into deeper political instability.
“I speak from experience. Enough is enough,” he said. “Power is not eternal. Every leader must govern with humility. For the sake of our democracy and our children, the time to act responsibly is now.”
Turning directly to Wike, George warned him against destroying the party that built his political career.
“You have been a major beneficiary of the PDP — from Local Government Chairman to Minister and Governor,” he said. “It is painful to watch you take actions capable of damaging the very institution that supported you. Power is temporary; reputation is permanent.”
George stressed that the internal attempt to forcefully take over the PDP secretariat — reportedly enabled by a serving minister — was unlawful and dangerous, describing it as “an assault on democratic order.”
“A party grows stronger when unhealthy branches fall away,” George noted. “But what we cannot tolerate is deliberate provocation, disregard for party rules, and attempts to seize what does not belong to one.”
He condemned the police involvement in shutting down the secretariat, questioning under whose authority the action was taken: “Since when does a tenant overtake the landlord?”
George said the President’s silence is troubling, warning that failure to speak up could be interpreted as silent approval.
He also invoked the legacy of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, lamenting that the warnings in the late musician’s songs still ring true today as leaders “close their ears to reason.”
“It is disheartening that Nigeria is dangerously staggering towards self-destruction,” he said. “What the Federal Government is doing in this PDP matter — giving police protection to renegades bent on destabilising our party — is completely illegal. Constitutionality is being disrespected. Illegality cannot defeat legality — not now, not ever.”