Chief Bode George, a prominent leader within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has called for a thorough investigation into the activities of the party and its members before, during, and after the 2023 general elections. Speaking on Arise TV’s Newsday on Wednesday, George emphasized the need for the PDP to conduct a post-mortem analysis to identify errors and successes in its recent electoral conduct.

“There must be an investigation by a special committee to look at the activities of the party and its members before that general election in 2023, during the general election, and post-election. That is where, once they get the report from the special committee, the National Working Committee (NWC) will look at it, inform the National Executive Committee (NEC), and proceed to discipline those who have erred and recognize those who have done well,” George stated.

He stressed the importance of such an investigation for the health of democracy, noting that a strong democracy requires a strong opposition. George argued that the PDP needs to put its house in order if it hopes to function as a formidable opposition capable of holding the current government accountable. “If the opposition, the PDP, is not putting its house in order, then you cannot form a formidable opposition when it comes to governance and bringing the current government to, you know, putting them on their toes,” he added.

George also criticized the current reconciliation committee headed by Tom Ikimi, expressing his reluctance to participate due to concerns about the committee’s leadership. He proposed that a new, independent committee should be constituted to investigate the party’s activities surrounding the 2023 elections. “What I’m saying is simple. The norm, the ways that these things are conducted, and I said to the current managers of the party, that immediately after the election, we should have set up a committee to do a post-mortem analysis of the activities before the election, during the election, and post-election,” George emphasized.

He warned that the party’s failure to address internal issues transparently could lead to its downfall. “This party, but for the fact that the party had been so solidified in its infancy, with roots well deep in this nation, would have gone into oblivion. And I am quite concerned that the behaviors generally, we need to revisit,” he said.

George underscored the importance of learning from past mistakes to prevent future errors and ensure the PDP remains a credible and united political force. He highlighted the divisions within the party as a significant concern and called for the elders and leaders to rise above petty conflicts. “A divided house will remain a defeated house. That’s all I am saying. As an elder, I’m a lifetime member of the board of trustees. We need to tap into all kinds of experiences to resolve these issues,” George noted.

He also reminisced about the party’s founding fathers, who, despite their political differences, worked together to establish a solid foundation for the PDP. George urged current leaders to follow their example and adhere to the party’s constitution, particularly the principles of zoning and rotation of party offices.

Reflecting on the PDP’s handling of the 2023 primaries, George pointed to the mismanagement of the process as a key reason for the party’s current troubles. “The fact that we did not handle the primaries well at the national convention, that is why we are here in this situation. We must follow the constitution,” he asserted.

George called for calm and unity within the PDP, urging members to prioritize the party’s long-term success and the well-being of Nigeria. “Let’s follow the constitution of the party. I am pleading with everybody to calm down for the sake of the younger generation and for the sake of our country,” he concluded.