‘Face your work in Abuja’ – Lagos PDP slams Wike over comment on Bode George

The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has harshly criticized the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for his recent remarks regarding former Deputy National Chairman of the party, High Chief Olabode George. In a statement on Saturday, the party's spokesman, Prince Dr Christopher Odianarewo, accused Wike of attempting to misrepresent the history of the PDP and undervalue George's contributions.

The controversy arose from comments attributed to Wike through his spokesman, Lere Olayinka, on August 8, 2026, where the FCT minister stated he had no regrets about opposing George's bid to become the national chairman of the PDP. Odianarewo refuted the claim that Wike had prevented George from achieving the position, stating that George voluntarily stepped down due to the need for fairness, zoning, party unity and stability.

The party questioned Wike's continued references to George, especially his claim of visiting George at his residence in Abuja, asking why such a visit would have been necessary if George was as politically insignificant as Wike claimed. Odianarewo dismissed Wike's attempt to link George to the PDP's electoral failures in Lagos, arguing that the party had consistently won elections and held positions in the state since 1999.

The party labeled such claims as "propaganda" and emphasized that political history cannot be rewritten by recent narratives. They also rejected Wike's reference to George's polling unit voting figures, asserting that leadership goes beyond a single polling unit and that political influence should not be measured solely by individual vote counts.

The statement further challenged those promoting Doherty as the political savior of the Lagos PDP to demonstrate their electoral strength, asserting that voters could differentiate between established political structures and what the party calls "television theatrics." The Lagos PDP advised Wike to focus on his duties as FCT minister and refrain from meddling in Lagos State's political affairs, urging him to "Face your work in Abuja and leave Lagos alone."

The party emphasized that George did not require Wike's approval or endorsement to remain politically relevant or contribute to Nigeria's democratic development. The Lagos PDP concluded by cautioning Wike against imposing what they termed a "Rivers political mentality" on Lagos, asserting: "Lagos no be Rivers."