Bode George, a prominent figure in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a member of its Board of Trustees (BoT), has called on party leaders to prioritize reconciliation and dialogue over personal ambitions. Speaking at a discussion titled “National Reconciliation and Discipline in the PDP,” moderated by Femi Akande, George underscored the importance of addressing internal conflicts within the party.
During the discussion on Sunday, George, who previously served as the PDP’s deputy national chairman, acknowledged that internal disputes are common in any organization, including the PDP. He emphasized that such disagreements are part of organizational dynamics and should be managed constructively.
“I know we have internal crises in our party; it’s normal. There’s no organization anywhere in the world without disagreements. I am pleading with all sides to calm their nerves,” George stated. He stressed that the focus should be on resolving these conflicts through dialogue rather than allowing personal ambitions to drive divisions.
George advocated for returning to the negotiation table and urged all participants to set aside personal ambitions, hatred, and jealousy. He encouraged leaders to engage in open discussions to find common ground, emphasizing, “We can get back to the table and discuss at length. All participants should drop their personal ambitions. Hatred, pettiness, and jealousy are normal all over the world. We can disagree without being disagreeable.”
He also advised against excessive ambition, particularly for those who have reached a certain age and stature. Drawing inspiration from what he referred to as the “President Joe Biden political strategy,” George suggested that senior leaders should consider stepping aside to allow younger generations to lead, for the benefit of the nation.
George paid tribute to the late Dr. Alex Ekwueme, the principal architect of the PDP, highlighting his efforts to unite various political groups across Nigeria and lay the foundation for the party. “There is a new concept now in politics called the President Joe Biden political strategy. When you get to a certain age and class, you hand over to the younger generation for the sake of your country. No individual can be larger than a nation, and if you have that concept, nobody can be in power forever,” he remarked.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s political history, George cited past failures such as the collapse of the First Republic and the downfall of the Shehu Shagari government. He urged current leaders to learn from these historical events to avoid repeating past mistakes and to prevent a return to military rule.
George’s remarks are a call for introspection and unity within the PDP, as the party navigates its internal challenges and seeks to strengthen its position in Nigerian politics.
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