The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over his recent comments about former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Chief Olabode George.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the party’s spokesman, Prince Dr Christopher Odianarewo, accused Wike of attempting to distort the history of the PDP and diminish George’s contributions to the party.

The statement followed comments attributed to Wike through his spokesman, Lere Olayinka, on August 8, in which the FCT minister reportedly said he had no regrets about opposing George’s ambition to become national chairman of the PDP.

Odianarewo disputed the claim that Wike prevented George from becoming national chairman, insisting that the former deputy national chairman voluntarily withdrew his ambition in the interest of fairness, zoning, party unity and stability.

“High Chief George demonstrated political maturity by stepping down his ambition when it became clear that doing so was necessary in the interest of fairness, zoning, party unity and stability,” the statement said.

The Lagos PDP spokesman also questioned Wike’s continued references to George, particularly his account of visiting the former party chieftain at his Abuja residence after the party’s convention.

He asked why Wike would have visited George to seek his support if he was as politically insignificant as the minister allegedly suggested.

“Why did you need to go to his residence to appease a man you now describe as politically irrelevant and without value?” the party asked.

Odianarewo further rejected Wike’s attempt to link George to the PDP’s electoral setbacks in Lagos, arguing that the party had continued to win elections and produce elected officials in the state after 1999.

He said the PDP had, at various times, produced members of the House of Representatives, Lagos State House of Assembly and local government councils, making claims that the party became electorally irrelevant after 1999 inaccurate.

The party described such claims as “propaganda,” insisting that the political history of the Lagos PDP could not be erased by recent narratives.

Reacting to Wike’s reference to George’s polling unit voting figures, Odianarewo argued that political influence and leadership should not be measured solely by the number of votes recorded at an individual polling unit.

“Leadership is bigger than a polling unit. Political history is bigger than a polling unit,” the statement said.

On Wike’s comments about the PDP’s 2027 Lagos governorship candidate, Deji Doherty, the party said it would not be distracted by attempts to elevate individuals above its established structures.

Odianarewo challenged those portraying Doherty as the political “saviour” of the Lagos PDP to demonstrate their electoral strength, saying Lagos voters could distinguish between established political structures and what he described as “television theatrics.”

The party also advised Wike to focus on his responsibilities as FCT minister and refrain from interfering in Lagos State politics.

“Minister Wike, Lagos PDP advises you respectfully: Face your work in Abuja and leave Lagos alone,” the statement said.

Odianarewo maintained that the Lagos PDP would not be intimidated by what it described as Wike’s “threats, insults, name-calling” or attempts to rewrite the party’s history in the state.

He added that George did not need Wike’s approval, endorsement or validation to remain politically relevant or contribute to Nigeria’s democratic development.

The Lagos PDP concluded by cautioning Wike against attempting to impose what it described as a “Rivers political mentality” on Lagos, declaring: “Lagos no be Rivers.”

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