Bode George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has called on elders and stakeholders of the party to step in and address the political turmoil unfolding in Rivers State.
George issued this appeal on Friday, expressing concerns that the crisis in Rivers could escalate into a national disaster. He cautioned President Bola Tinubu not to underestimate the threat posed by some lawmakers in the state House of Assembly who have threatened to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Highlighting the urgency of the situation, George emphasized that no one should remain indifferent or pretend that all is well. He asserted that Rivers State belongs to the PDP, citing Section 109 (1) (g) of the 1999 Constitution, which stipulates that a member of the House of Assembly shall vacate their seat if they defect to another party.
“All the PDP lawmakers who moved to the All Progressives Congress (APC) have automatically lost their seats and are in no position to threaten Governor Fubara,” George stated firmly.
He warned against the potential repercussions of allowing the crisis to escalate, invoking the memory of past political unrest in Nigeria, such as the infamous ‘Operation Wetie’ that marked the end of the First Republic in 1966.
George called on the members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP to act swiftly and decisively to quell the crisis before it engulfs the nation. He urged all parties involved to prioritize the collective interests of Nigerians and refrain from making inflammatory statements that could exacerbate tensions in Rivers and beyond.
“Any action that threatens democracy must be halted immediately. Enough is enough,” George concluded.
