Bode George Blames David Mark For PDP’s Woes, Labels Him Disgraceful

A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Bode George, has accused ex-Senate President David Mark of being at the center of the crisis currently besieging the PDP. George traced the party’s troubles to the controversial convention Mark chaired, which he said destabilized structures set by the founding fathers.

Speaking in an interview, George criticized Mark, now Interim National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, for urging PDP members to defect to the ADC to “rescue Nigeria” in the coming elections. The call was made alongside former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-governors Sule Lamido, Aminu Tambuwal, and others during a meeting in Abuja.

In a communiqué read by Mark, the leaders argued that coalition efforts were essential to tackle issues of national unity, security, the economy, and institutional corruption. Mark also lamented that the PDP had become a shadow of its former self due to intimidation, blackmail, and patronage from the APC-led Federal Government.

But reacting sharply, George said, “I am deeply ashamed of that statement coming from David Mark, asking PDP members to join the ADC. It is extremely disgraceful. These people abandoned the house that built them just because of some crisis.”

He added, “Mark chaired the convention that sowed the seeds of this crisis by manipulating processes our founding fathers put in place. His conduct is not just arrogant, it is outright disgraceful, especially for a retired Army General who should know the value of tradition and loyalty.”

George also labeled Atiku, Mark, and their allies as ingrates who continue to “dance on the graves” of PDP’s founding leaders, accusing them of disrespecting the sacrifices made to establish the party.

However, former PDP National Secretary, Ibrahim Tsauri, defended the move by party heavyweights to align with the ADC. Tsauri argued that membership of any political party remains a personal choice. “The people calling on others to join the ADC are the face of the PDP. If they have reasons to move, no one can question that,” he said.

He dismissed fears of PDP’s collapse, suggesting that the coalition was simply a new platform to confront national issues, adding that nothing ruled out a possible return to PDP by these leaders if the party organises a successful convention.

Similarly, PDP’s National Organising Secretary, Capt Umar Bature (retd.), said there was nothing wrong with Atiku and others deciding to back the ADC. “It is a free world,” he noted, maintaining that the PDP remained united despite the defections.