The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has faulted the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over his recent comments concerning former Deputy National Chairman of the party, High Chief Olabode George.
The party’s spokesman, Prince Dr Christopher Odianarewo, on Saturday described Wike’s claim that he had no regrets about blocking George’s aspiration to become national chairman of the PDP as an attempt to rewrite the history of the party and diminish George’s political contributions.
Odianarewo said Wike’s latest remarks raised questions about his continued focus on George and the political affairs of Lagos.
The statement was issued in response to comments made by Wike through his spokesman, Lere Olayinka, on August 8, 2026.
Odianarewo disputed Wike’s claim that he had “blocked” George from becoming national chairman, noting that George had voluntarily stepped down his ambition in the interest of fairness, zoning, party unity and stability.
According to the Lagos PDP, “High Chief George demonstrated political maturity by stepping down his ambition when it became clear that doing so was necessary in the interest of fairness, zoning, party unity and stability.”
The party also questioned Wike’s claim that he personally visited George’s residence in Abuja after the party’s convention to appease him, asking why such a visit would have been necessary if George was as politically irrelevant as Wike allegedly portrayed him.
“Why did you need to go to his residence to appease a man you now describe as politically irrelevant and without value?” the party asked.
The Lagos PDP further rejected Wike’s attempt to attribute the party’s electoral setbacks to George, arguing that the party had continued to win elections and produce elected representatives in Lagos since 1999.
Odianarewo noted that the PDP had, at various times, secured representation in the House of Representatives, the Lagos State House of Assembly and local government councils, describing claims that the party disappeared electorally after 1999 as “propaganda.”
He also dismissed Wike’s reference to George’s polling unit voting figures, arguing that an individual’s political relevance could not be measured solely by the number of votes recorded at his polling unit.
“Leadership is bigger than a polling unit. Political history is bigger than a polling unit,” the statement said.
On Wike’s reference to the PDP’s 2027 governorship candidate in Lagos, Deji Doherty, the party said it would not attach undue importance to the minister’s comments but challenged those seeking to portray Doherty as the political “saviour” of Lagos PDP to demonstrate their electoral strength.
Odianarewo said Lagos voters were sophisticated enough to distinguish between established political structures and what he described as “television theatrics.”
The Lagos PDP also advised Wike to concentrate on his responsibilities as FCT minister, arguing that Lagos had its own political structures and should be allowed to determine its political affairs.
“Minister Wike, Lagos PDP advises you respectfully: Face your work in Abuja and leave Lagos alone,” the statement said.
Odianarewo added that the party would not be intimidated by what it described as Wike’s “threats, insults, name-calling” or attempts to rewrite the history of the Lagos PDP.
He maintained that George did not require Wike’s permission, endorsement or validation to remain politically relevant or continue contributing to Nigeria’s democratic development.
The party concluded by warning Wike against attempting to impose what it described as a “Rivers political mentality” on Lagos.
“Lagos no be Rivers,” the party declared.
