President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made a surprising revelation about how he personally intervened to prevent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Chief Bode George from going into exile following the 2023 presidential election outcome.
The Exile Threat and Presidential Intervention
During the buildup to the hotly contested 2023 presidential election, Chief Bode George, a prominent PDP leader, had vehemently declared that he would leave Nigeria if Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerged victorious. However, in a remarkable turn of events, President Tinubu has now disclosed how he actively worked to change the elder statesman's mind.
The revelation came through an official statement issued by Yomi Odunuga, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. The statement was released on Friday, November 21, 2025, following Tinubu's representation at Chief George's 80th birthday celebration and memoir presentation.
Birthday Celebration Revelation
President Tinubu, who was represented at the event by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, used the occasion to address the previously contentious relationship between the two political figures. The President described the event as a tribute to "a distinguished Nigerian, an elder statesman, and an accomplished public servant who has lived a full life of service to country and community."
In his message delivered with humor and statesmanship, Tinubu recalled: "I pleaded with him that he would have a change of heart, because we would all remain in Nigeria and work together to achieve the peaceful and prosperous Nigeria that was our collective dream."
Context of Political Tensions
The relationship between Tinubu and George has been marked by significant political tensions over the years. Chief Bode George has been openly critical of the Tinubu administration on several occasions, particularly regarding democratic principles and governance issues.
Most notably, George had strongly condemned the sealing of the PDP national secretariat by the Nigerian Police, describing the action as "madness" and accusing the government of undermining democratic values. He had also been vocal about other national issues, including:
- Urging reduction of petrol prices to N300
- Expressing concerns about the 1999 constitution causing hardship
- Speaking on the Rivers State political crisis
- Criticizing former Vice President Atiku Abubakar's visit to Buhari
Despite these previous criticisms, Tinubu emphasized that the values that unite Nigeria remain stronger than any political disagreement, signaling a willingness to bridge political divides for national unity.
Earlier Revelations and Reconciliation
This recent disclosure follows earlier reports where Chief Bode George himself had revealed that President Tinubu sent his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, to persuade him against leaving the country. George acknowledged this intervention as the primary reason he decided to remain in Nigeria despite his pre-election vow to depart if Tinubu became president.
The development marks a significant moment in Nigerian politics, demonstrating that political rivalries can evolve into opportunities for national unity and collaboration, especially when seasoned politicians prioritize the country's interests above partisan differences.
