In a candid interview on Arise TV, Chief Olabode George, a senior figure in the Peoples Democratic Party, has condemned the wave of defections from the PDP to the ruling APC, asserting that these moves are motivated by personal gain rather than ideological conviction. George expressed concern over the timing of these defections, pointing to the widespread economic distress experienced by Nigerians.
“There is hunger in the land. There is anger in the land. People are getting very, very disturbed,” George stated, questioning why politicians would abandon the PDP during such a critical period. He challenged the defectors to explain what benefits or ideological shifts prompted their departure.
George also criticized the defectors for betraying the PDP’s foundational values, which were established to promote unity and equitable representation across Nigeria’s regions. He described the party as a deeply rooted institution, likening it to an “Iroko tree,” while dismissing new political alliances as fragile “little plants.”
He urged the defectors to return to the PDP fold, emphasizing that the party remains the true platform for national development and political stability. “What is it, if not personal ambition, personal aggrandisement, personal self-conceitedness?” George questioned, underscoring the self-serving nature of the defections.
His comments come amid increasing political realignments as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 elections, reflecting the ongoing tensions within the country’s political environment.