Bode George speaks on ‘Armageddon hovering over Nigeria’, Why Ayu should resign, Wike vs Atiku

Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has expressed worry over the ‘Armageddon hovering over Nigeria’ due to insecurity across the country.
Speaking in his Ikoyi, Lagos office on Wednesday, the former Military Governor of old Ondo State said: “An Armageddon is hovering over this nation. Whether you are super rich, middle class or the masses, nobody is safe again. And APC (All Progressives Congress), a party of strange bed fellows, is responsible for the insecurity in the land.
“In 2015, they lied to Nigerians that they have the magic to turn this country around, stop insecurity, improve on the economy and make Nigerians happy. It is obvious now that they lied. You don’t lie yourself to success”.

George, who expressed surprise why the National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, is still in office, recalled his official visit, as a Naval Officer, to the War College in the United States (U.S.) in 1986.
“Today, modern technology is readily available everywhere. In 1986, I attended the War College in the United States as the president of Class 30. As we sat down in the war room, the live screen was showing Tinubu Square, Apongbon, CMS and other places in Lagos. I saw the CBN area, Broad Street and the yellow buses. We watched everything on a giant screen.
“That was in 1986 through satellite technology. Even drones are readily available now. If we can’t get the premium, we can always get the ones to locate these bandits who have created an aura of invincibility around.
“That was in 1986. So, I wonder why some terrorists would attack a Kaduna-bound train, kill and abduct passengers and the government still can’t rescue the remaining passengers. As a military man, I still don’t know why we can’t use technology, intelligence and satellites to end insecurity in this country. I don’t know why the NSA is still keeping his job.
What is our NSA doing? He’s a very smart officer. Is the system denying him the opportunity to acquire modern technology? I’m baffled because the younger generation is more brilliant”.
On politics, George, the Atona Oodua of Yorubaland, advised the National Chairman of PDP, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, to honour his promise to resign, if the 2023 presidential candidate is picked from the North.
He said the emergence of the chairman and flagbearer from one zone has violated the principle of inclusivity.
George, a retired Naval Commodore, also urged PDP to put its house in order ahead of the 2023 general elections “because Nigerians are already waiting for us”.
He advised the party’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, to sheathe their swords in the interest of the party.
George, the leader of the party in Lagos State, also urged Wike to emulate him by making sacrifice for the party.
The party elder said although he aspired to serve as national chairman, he had to bury the ambition when it was not zoned to the South-West, contrary to the expectation of party faithful in the region.
George maintained that the fact that Ayu has continued to function as chairman after Atiku became candidate has upset some chieftains from the South.
He said: “Ayu said once the presidential candidate emerged from the North, he will resign. Why are you now trying to reverse the role? Your word must be your bond”.
George recalled that PDP founding fathers had promised the distribution of six core positions among the six zones to foster equity and unity.
He listed the positions as president, vice president, Secretary to Government of the Federation, Senate President, House of Representatives Speaker and National Chairman.
In his view, their proposal heralded the culture of zoning and rotation in a bid to give the six regions in the country a sense of inclusion.
George also noted the sentiment in the South over the likelihood of a successor to President Muhammadu Buhari from the North in 2023, lamenting that PDP never anticipated the scenario.
He explained that while party positions were being zoned initially, the party permitted the entry of aspirants from the South and North into the contest for presidential ticket.
“When the chairmanship office was zoned to the North, they should have zoned the presidential slot to the South. I said with what APC has done to Nigeria, zoning is now more important than in 1999”.
However, George called for dialogue and peace in the party, saying that the warring chieftains “should calm down”.
He urged Wike to maintain an abiding interest and fidelity to the PDP, stressing that it is still the best in terms of national outlook and reputation.
George said politicians should bear in mind that “in politics, you win some, you lose some.”
He also advised Atiku not to relent in continuous consultations and reconciliation because it is in his interest and the collective interest of the party.
“I appeal to all sides to sheathe their swords. National elections are coming. PDP must convince Nigerians that it can manage the resources of the country in the best interest of the people.

“They should avoid statement of arrogance, innuendos and name calling that can destroy the party. The Board of Trustees must rise up to the occasion and the warring chieftains should calm down. There have been mistakes. I also suffered from mistakes during the contest for national chairman.
“In democracy, we must talk, we must exchange ideas. We must agree and disagree without actually disagreeable. Any organisation with human beings will always have issues, but the ability to manage that crisis will be the determining factor.
“I want to appeal to all sides to sheathe their swords. Nigerians are waiting for us and we must convince them that we can manage the resources of the country in an equitable manner.
“They should all cease fire. Statements of arrogance and innuendos that can destroy the party should stop forthwith.”
“I never became chairman and I did not fade away. I am still a leader in the party. Those who did not get presidential ticket should not think it is the end.”
On the worsening insecurity, he called on the NSA to resign, wondering how candidates and political parties would campaign round the country during the electioneering in an atmosphere of insecurity.
George said it was shameful and worrisome that terrorists attacked the Brigade of Guards and set free prisoners from correctional centres and no arrest was made.
“It is more honourable for Monguno to bow out. What is he doing there? The United States just dealt with Osama bin Laden’s deputy. The technology-satellite and drones are still there.
“People were abducted. The Federal Government has not done anything about the hostages. Impeachment is not the issue. Interim National Government is not the issue. We are not in a military regime. We should bring out all the issues during the election campaigns.
“My fear is that if this insecurity continues, who will be bold enough to campaign or cast votes during election in 2023? These are serious issues we must consider. How will people go out to vote on the day of election?”