In a revealing statement, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Bode George disclosed that President Bola Tinubu sent his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, to request he reconsider his decision to leave Nigeria following Tinubu’s election win.
George, who had publicly threatened to relocate if Tinubu became president, claims the appeal was an attempt to right perceived wrongs.
Reflecting on this development during an interview on Arise TV’s Morning Show, George said, “During the campaign period, I stated and meant it that if Tinubu won that election, I was going to get out. Once they heard that, Tinubu sent his Chief of Staff, Gbajabiamila. He came and said, ‘Ogbon said please don’t be calm, trying to beg.’”
George added that Gbajabiamila acknowledged the “wrong” done to him and presented “options” in an attempt to restore their relationship. This approach was reportedly aimed at ensuring George remained in Nigeria, despite his strong objections to Tinubu’s rise to power.
In his commentary, George also addressed the crisis within the PDP, specifically tensions involving Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), whom he described as “like a son.”
Despite the ongoing political discord, George emphasised his respect for Wike while distancing his personal opinions from the recent internal strife.
He recalled conversations with former PDP chairman Iyorchia Ayu, attributing the current discontent to Ayu’s controversial refusal to resign, which he believes fueled divisions within the party.
“It is an anomaly to have the presidential candidate and the party chairman from the same zone,” he said, noting this was one of the key issues underpinning the current PDP rift.
