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

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike

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.