A former South-West National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has attributed the party's prolonged internal crisis to greed, avarice, and a blatant disregard for the foundational principles established by its founding fathers.
Speaking during an interview on the Frontline programme on Eagle 102.5 FM in Ijebu-Ilese, Ogun State, on Thursday, the elder statesman emphasized that the divisions stem not from ideological clashes but from individuals who ignored the party's carefully crafted rules and zoning arrangements.
George described the PDP's zoning formula designed by its founding leaders as a deliberate mechanism to promote national balance, fairness, and stability in Nigeria's diverse political landscape.
The system divides the country into six geopolitical zones, with the presidency rotating every eight years to ensure every region gets a fair chance at leadership.
“The PDP created a concept where every Nigerian, whether majority or minority tribe, is acceptable and must benefit from the gifts God gave in their local area,” he said.
“The founding fathers divided Nigeria into six geopolitical zones and created this zoning concept where one zone holds the presidency for eight years, and it rotates to another zone.”
He lamented that the arrangement collapsed when personal ambition overrode collective interest. “It started because of avarice, because of greed, because of a lack of respect for constituted authorities,” George stated.
“The guidelines as stipulated by the founding fathers of our party were totally disconnected, and they were now saying, ‘Oh, it must be me, he must be this.’ Who are you? Let the will of the people prevail.”
The PDP stalwart pointed to one individual who defied the zoning rules and contested anyway, triggering manipulations that escalated into broader chaos. “How did we miss it? The main point is human greed. One fellow came out and said, ‘I don’t care whatever it is, I am going to contest.’
"All the manipulation they created followed from there,” he added.George expressed deep disappointment, saying the party's founding leaders who have since passed on would be “shaking violently in their graves” at the current state of affairs.
He argued that the crisis has been exacerbated by post-2023 election disputes, leadership tussles, and legal setbacks, including the Court of Appeal's recent voiding of the PDP's November 2025 national convention in Ibadan for procedural violations.
The turmoil has weakened the opposition party significantly, leading to defections, including Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara's move to the APC in December 2025 along with lawmakers and other senior members shifting allegiance amid ongoing rifts.
George insisted that restoring respect for the founding principles and zoning system is the only way to reunite the PDP and revive its strength as Nigeria's leading opposition force.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com