Nyesom Wike's spokesman has hit back at Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Chief Bode George, telling him to conduct himself with the dignity expected of someone who served as a military governor nearly four decades ago. Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), said it was becoming an embarrassment to watch someone of Bode George's standing dash between television studios to attack people young enough to be his children.
Wike Stands Firm on Property Allegation
At the centre of the row is Wike's claim that Bode George's Abuja property was paid for with money from Rivers State. Olayinka made clear that the minister has no intention of backing down from that position. "Wike was clear. He said Bode George's Abuja house was acquired with funds from Rivers State, and he stands by this," Olayinka said.
Responding to Bode George's explanation that he bought the property from a private owner through an agent, Olayinka said that argument missed the point entirely. According to him, Wike's concern was never about who sold the property or how the transaction was arranged, but about the origin of the money used. He said Bode George must answer that specific question directly.
Olayinka also pushed back on what he described as George's moral posturing, saying the PDP chieftain was one of the founding fathers of corruption in Nigeria and therefore lacked the standing to lecture others on the subject.
PDP's Lagos Record Under Scrutiny
Beyond the property dispute, Olayinka took aim at Bode George's record as the face of PDP in Lagos State, pointing out that the party has not won in his own polling unit since 1999. "Since 1999, he has not won his polling unit for the PDP," Olayinka said, contrasting that with PDP's success in winning governorship seats in Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Oyo and Osun states over the same period.
He also drew on Yoruba cultural tradition to make his point, noting that the respect given to elders is conditional on those elders carrying themselves with dignity. "An elder who chooses to tie corn to his waist and run around will have fowls chasing and making mockery of him," he said.
Olayinka further questioned why none of the other prominent Nigerians who served as military governors alongside Bode George between 1988 and 1990 were behaving in the same manner, and asked the same question of those who served with George on the PDP's National Working Committee.
