The Southwest vice chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adedeji Doherty, has issued a stern warning to former deputy national chairman Chief Bode George, threatening expulsion if he continues his public criticism of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. In a statement released on Sunday, May 3, Doherty declared that the party would no longer tolerate what he described as incessant attacks from George, insisting that disciplinary action would follow if he persists.
Doherty's Strong Warning
We will not hesitate to expel Chief Bode George from his ward and local government in Lagos State if he continues to malign Wike in the media again. Enough is enough, Doherty said. He added that the PDP is prepared to wield its big stick against members he described as recalcitrant and acting as spoilers within the party.
Reaction to Supreme Court Ruling
Reacting to the recent Supreme Court judgment on the PDP crisis, Doherty described the ruling as expected and a positive step toward stabilizing the party's internal disputes. He argued that those dissatisfied with earlier court outcomes should have pursued reconciliation rather than further litigation, especially given the tight timelines set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). According to him, continuing legal battles only deepened divisions within the party.
Criticism of Governors Makinde and Mohammed
Doherty also took aim at Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed for their roles in what he called a botched PDP convention in Ibadan. He claimed the convention was organized outside the party's constitutional framework and contributed to the PDP's declining fortunes. I can assure you, no political party worth its salt would admit Seyi Makinde. You claimed you are working for the PDP and at the same time you assembled people at Ibadan claiming that you are working towards a coalition. Who does that? he queried. He further alleged that Makinde had previously interfered in his own party's election in 2019 in Lagos, describing the incident as disruptive.
Future of the PDP
Despite the party's internal wrangling, Doherty insisted that the PDP remains strong and is gradually improving through court victories. The court experience is a bitter-sweet pill. It brings an end to the so-called factionalization of members, he said. He also dismissed concerns over defections, arguing that claims of senior members leaving the party were exaggerated.
Dispute Over BoT Remarks and Party Structure
Doherty also criticized comments attributed to former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, accusing him of misrepresenting the outcome of the Supreme Court ruling on party leadership disputes. The Supreme Court struck out their appeal. So what is Senator Wabara talking about? In any case you have the appellant and defendant. How can you say there is no winner when the apex court nullified their amala convention held in Ibadan? he said. He added that it was inappropriate for senior party figures to challenge established party structures, questioning the role of the Board of Trustees during internal crises. Doherty further noted that Governor Bala Mohammed has left the PDP, adding that Governor Seyi Makinde may soon leave too. If they truly believed in the party, they would have joined hands to salvage it, the PDP chieftain said.
