Peoples Democratic Party’s chieftain, Chief Olabode George, has described defectors from the party to the ruling All Progressives Congress as selfish, and being propelled by personal ambition.
He questioned the sincerity of these politicians, particularly in light of the current economic hardship faced by Nigerians.
The elder statesman, while speaking in an exclusive interview with Arise TV on Friday, expressed dismay at the exodus of members, including those who once held prominent positions within the party.
To him, the defectors’ actions contradict the foundational principles and established procedures laid down by the PDP’s founding fathers, which were designed to ensure inclusivity and equitable power-sharing across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.
He said, “There is hunger in the land. There is anger in the land.
“People are getting very, very disturbed. Whether you are a rich man or a poor man, all is not well.
“So what is attracting them to that side?”
He challenged the defectors to articulate the tangible benefits or ideological shifts drawing them to the APC.
He further emphasised that the PDP, despite its internal challenges, remains the “family home” for these politicians who benefited significantly from its platform.
George urged them to reconsider their allegiances and return to the party, drawing a stark contrast between the PDP’s deep-rooted structure and the perceived instability of newly formed alliances.
He likened the PDP to an “Iroko tree with a very deep root,” suggesting that new political formations are mere “little plants” by comparison.
“What is it, if not personal ambition, personal aggrandisement, personal self-conceitedness?” George stated, directly attributing the defections to individual desires for power and gain rather than a genuine commitment to national development or the welfare of the citizenry.
His remarks underscore the ongoing power struggles and ideological divisions within Nigeria’s political landscape as the 2027 general elections draw closer.
