Wike mocks Bode George, calls him ‘failed politician’ who can’t win his polling unit

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has launched a blistering attack on Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Chief Bode George, declaring he has no regret over blocking George’s bid to become the party’s National Chairman. Wike described George as a “failed politician” who has never won any election for the PDP in Lagos State since 1999 and has no electoral value.

The long-running feud between the two PDP heavyweights escalated on Saturday, August 8, 2026, when Wike, through a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, accused George of nursing a grudge over his thwarted chairmanship ambition. The minister insisted that the party’s decision to zone the national chairmanship position to the South-South was a justifiable move that blocked George’s path. Wike said George’s persistent criticism of his leadership and political decisions was driven entirely by bitterness over this setback. “His anger is because we didn’t allow him to be PDP National Chairman and no regret doing so,” Wike said, adding that George “was carrying on like the position was his birthright” . He claimed that since the national convention, the former Deputy National Chairman “has not stopped being angry.” Wike also noted that George’s political frustration had been compounded by the emergence of Deji Doherty, whom he said the party chieftain did not want to see in charge of the PDP in Lagos State, further souring his mood and fueling his ongoing criticism.

Wike argued that leadership of a political party should be based on the ability to win elections, not on titles or the status of being a “founding father” , a position he maintained with unwavering conviction throughout his statement. He described George as “a complete disaster” on that score, suggesting that the elder statesman had failed to justify his influence within the party through tangible electoral results. The minister further remarked: “We have managed him even though we know that he has no value. But as it is, since he wants to keep dancing naked in the marketplace of politics, we can’t but allow him,” using a vivid metaphor to dismiss George’s continued relevance. To buttress his claim, the minister cited electoral results from George’s former polling unit in Lagos Island, presenting them as evidence of George’s inability to influence electoral outcomes. Wike said George had never won even his own polling unit, Unit 001 in Ward E2, Evans Street, Lagos Island, for the PDP, a statistic he argued spoke volumes about George’s political weakness. He noted that in the 2019 presidential election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) polled 84 votes at the unit against the PDP’s 40 votes, demonstrating the party’s lack of competitiveness even in George’s immediate neighborhood. Wike also pointed out that after George transferred his voter’s card to Eti-Osa for the 2023 elections, the PDP recorded only four votes at his former polling unit, a dramatic drop that he used to question George’s political influence. “Leadership of a political party is not by name, title or being a founding father. Rather, it is about what you are able to bring to the table in terms of winning elections, and in this regard, Bode George is a complete disaster,” Wike stated emphatically.

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Wike also recounted a personal attempt at reconciliation after the party’s national convention, revealing that he had made efforts to mend fences with George despite their differences. He claimed that as a sitting governor of Rivers State, he visited George’s residence in Maitama, Abuja, to appease him, but was nearly turned away by George’s wife, a slight that he clearly still resents. The minister said former Ondo State governor, Olusegun Mimiko, had to intervene to prevent him from being walked out, suggesting that George’s bitterness had reached such a level that he was unwilling to even receive a visiting governor. The minister also challenged George to explain the source of funds for his Maitama residence, alleging links between the property and Rivers State money, a claim that George has vehemently denied. Wike had earlier made this allegation during his monthly media chat with journalists in Abuja, saying: “This man from Lagos, Bode George, when they talk about corruption, ask him about the house he is living in Maitama. Is it not Rivers State money?”

The PDP chieftain has responded to Wike’s allegations, denying any wrongdoing and threatening legal action, indicating that the feud is far from over. In an appearance on TVC News, George dismissed Wike’s claims regarding the source of funds for his Abuja residence, describing the minister as a man who needs “urgent psychiatric attention” . “How was my house in Abuja bought with Rivers fund? I’m going to take him to court. I’m sure he was high on something,” George said, dismissing Wike’s allegations as baseless. He insisted that he purchased the Maitama house from a private owner—a retired civil servant—and that it has no connection with Rivers State funds. “Am I from Rivers State? Is Rivers State a bank?” George queried, questioning the logic behind Wike’s allegations.

The Lagos State chapter of the PDP has waded into the controversy, condemning Wike’s remarks as “baseless, reckless and ignorant” , and defending their chieftain against what they see as an unwarranted attack. In a statement signed by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Dr. Christopher Odianarewo, the party defended George’s record, stating that he was exonerated by the Supreme Court over allegations related to his tenure as Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Board, making Wike’s allegations particularly offensive. Odianarewo accused Wike of disregarding judicial decisions and abusing his office by questioning the ownership of George’s private residence. “Wike must understand that his ministerial portfolio is not a license to intimidate citizens or weaponize state power against private individuals,” the party stated firmly. The Lagos PDP also reminded Wike that George served as PDP National Vice Chairman (South) and successfully delivered five states in a landslide victory when Wike was still a local government chairman struggling for political relevance, suggesting that George’s influence should not be underestimated. The party further accused Wike of a history of betraying political allies, listing figures such as Peter Odili, Rotimi Amaechi, and Goodluck Jonathan, suggesting that Wike’s criticisms of others should be viewed with skepticism given his own track record of political betrayals.

Wike mocks Bode George, calls him ‘failed politician’ who can’t win his polling unit

Osun Election: ‘Prepare to Sign Your Uncle as Dancer’ — Uzodimma Fires Back at Davido

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has delivered a sharp response to Afrobeats superstar Davido, telling the singer to prepare to sign his uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke, as a dancer in his musical band after the upcoming Osun State governorship election. The exchange follows Davido’s appeal to an unnamed politician from Imo State, widely interpreted as Uzodimma, to allow a free and fair election in Osun and refrain from interference ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship poll.

Davido, who serves as the head of youth mobilisation for his uncle Governor Adeleke’s re-election campaign, addressed supporters on Wednesday urging calm and rejecting violence ahead of the poll. Speaking at a press conference in Osogbo, Davido called on an unnamed “daddy from Imo State” to use his influence to promote peace rather than interfere in the electoral process. “I’ve heard rumours that there are moves to interfere in the Osun State election or to use the state as a political battleground to prove a point,” Davido said. “I do not present these claims as facts, but I appeal to you, sir, to use your influence to promote peace and allow the people of Osun to choose their candidates freely.” The singer invoked his family connection to Imo State through his wife, Chioma, to lend sincerity to his appeal. “Osun is ours, the future is ours, and let peace lead the way,” Davido urged residents.

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Uzodimma, who chairs the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Campaign Council for the Osun election, responded through a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Electronic and Creative Media, Ambrose Nwaogwugwu. He dismissed Davido’s appeal as “pedestrian,” arguing that the singer should direct his message to Osun voters rather than to him. “It is rather pedestrian for Davido to direct such an appeal to the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum simply because his wife is from Imo State,” the statement read. “Instead, his appeal should be directed to the people of Osun State, who will ultimately decide the election’s outcome through their votes.”

Uzodimma also took aim at Governor Ademola Adeleke’s record, claiming dissatisfaction among Osun residents. “The reality is that Governor Ademola Adeleke has, in the opinion of many, failed woefully in the discharge of his responsibilities. This is why many Osun voters are determined to vote him out in the August 15, 2026, governorship election,” Uzodimma said. He claimed that signals from across the state indicated voters were ready to embrace “a new direction” under the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.

In a biting personal jab, Uzodimma suggested Davido prepare his uncle for life after politics. “Rather than attempting to influence Governor Hope Uzodimma through emotional appeals, Davido should concentrate on helping his uncle prepare for life after office, as the people of Osun appear ready to cast their votes massively in favour of the APC candidate,” the statement read. “Perhaps, Davido should also begin making preparations to officially sign his uncle as a dancer in his musical band, because judging by the mood of the electorate, he may well be out of a political job after the August 15, 2026, governorship election.”

The exchange comes amid heightened political tensions ahead of the Osun governorship election, where Governor Adeleke is seeking a second term under the Accord Party. The controversy follows recent actions by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which froze bank accounts linked to the Osun State Government, and alleged arrests of Adeleke’s supporters by the police. The governorship election is scheduled to take place on August 15, with 14 candidates contesting the poll.

Osun Election: ‘Prepare to Sign Your Uncle as Dancer’ — Uzodimma Fires Back at Davido

Osun Account Freeze: Atiku Accuses Tinubu of Weaponising State Institutions Against Opposition

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the freezing of the Osun State Government’s statutory allocation account by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), describing the action as a “dangerous assault on democracy” that raises serious questions about the neutrality of institutions entrusted with upholding the rule of law. The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who spoke through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, on Thursday in Abuja, insisted that there can be no justification for such an action on the eve of a critical election. He warned that restricting access to the state’s principal operational account could disrupt governance, delay salary payments, impede essential public services, and create an atmosphere of intimidation that has no place in a democratic society.

The EFCC, however, has defended its decision, stating that the account freeze was triggered by suspicious movement of funds amid an ongoing investigation into the alleged fraudulent handling of about N11 billion in Ecology Funds, Intervention Funds, and Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations. In a statement signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the anti-graft agency disclosed that it had been investigating the Osun State Government since March 2026 and that several officials, including the state’s Accountant-General, had been interviewed by investigators. The commission explained that the decision to place a Post-No-Debit order on the account was triggered by unusual fund movements detected from August 2, 2026. “These ongoing investigations of the state government would not have warranted any placement of Post No Debit order on its account but for the precipitate and unwarranted movement of funds from the accounts to different suspicious accounts since August 2, 2026,” the EFCC said. “The Commission noticed huge transfers of funds into different corporate entities and had to swiftly halt the trend by freezing the accounts from which such heavy funds are being moved.” The EFCC insisted its action was not politically motivated despite the timing ahead of the Osun governorship election, stressing that it could not overlook financial infractions on account of the poll. “While the Commission is fully aware of the impending governorship election in Osun State, it has a responsibility to act in defence of the sanctity of the funds of the state. It will be uncharitable for the Commission to allow an excuse of an upcoming election to fold its arms to perform its legally-assigned functions,” the statement read.

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Atiku linked the development to what he called a pattern under the Tinubu administration in which opposition-controlled states have become consistent targets of coercive federal actions, citing the earlier withholding of Osun State’s statutory local government allocations. “Coming after the prolonged denial of Osun State’s statutory local government allocations, this latest action reinforces the disturbing impression that public institutions are being weaponised to punish political opponents rather than serve the Nigerian people,” Atiku said. He maintained that the restriction would affect residents more than political officeholders because state funds are required to pay salaries and provide essential public services. “Freezing the state’s allocation account is not merely an attack on the Osun State Government; it is a direct assault on the people of Osun State, whose salaries, essential public services and daily governance stand to suffer. The anti-corruption mandate of the EFCC must never be distorted into a political weapon against opposition governments,” he stated.

The Nigerian Bar Association has faulted the EFCC over the freezing of Osun State Government’s bank account, saying the anti-graft agency lacks the constitutional power to impose a blanket restriction on a state’s finances without due legal process. NBA President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), warned that any directive restricting withdrawals from accounts belonging to a state government would effectively cripple governance and amount to an abuse of power. “No government agency or any person has the right or the power to restrict withdrawals from the account of any state because, first of all, the order has the effect of grounding the activities of a government,” Osigwe said. “If the EFCC knows that any particular account is being used for the purpose of fraud, it may be able to obtain a court order, but it cannot make a blanket order freezing the accounts of any state,” he added. “Such an order would be unconstitutional and also violate the powers of the EFCC and may actually amount to an abuse of power.” Similarly, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, questioned the legality of the alleged no-debit restriction, insisting that the EFCC must first obtain a court order before freezing any account. He noted that Nigerian courts had consistently ruled that anti-graft agencies could not freeze accounts without judicial authorisation. Isiaka Olagunju (SAN) described the freezing of the bank account as a serious violation of the 1999 Constitution and contrary to the principles of federalism. However, Professor Damilola Olawuyi (SAN) defended the use of account freezing as a recognised preventive tool in tackling economic and financial crimes, provided it is exercised within the limits of the law. He explained that temporary restrictions on accounts had become an internationally recognised mechanism for disrupting illicit financial flows, money laundering and terrorist financing. He, however, cautioned that such powers “should not be used as a cudgel to settle political scores”.

Atiku called on the EFCC to immediately reverse the freezing of the Osun State Government’s statutory allocation account. He urged all institutions involved in the conduct of the Osun governorship election to act with restraint, impartiality and fidelity to the Constitution. “The people of Osun State alone must determine the outcome of their election. No external force or institution of government should, by action or omission, cast a shadow over the credibility of that democratic choice,” he said. The former vice president also called on all opposition parties and every Nigerian committed to constitutional democracy to close ranks and resist what he described as the misuse of state institutions. “President Tinubu is leaving no one in doubt that he is determined to win elections at all costs. Democracy cannot coexist with the systematic weaponisation of state institutions against political opponents. I therefore call on all opposition parties and every Nigerian committed to constitutional democracy to close ranks and resist this dangerous drift before it is too late,” Atiku warned.

Osun Account Freeze: Atiku Accuses Tinubu of Weaponising State Institutions Against Opposition