The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has responded sharply to remarks made by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees member, Chief Bode George, regarding the sealing of the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Speaking during a live interview on Monday, Wike dismissed George’s suggestion that he should have paid the outstanding ₦7 million ground rent on behalf of the PDP to demonstrate his loyalty, stating that such comments were misinformed and unnecessary.
“I read what he said. If an old man has no job, sit down in your house and read newspapers,” Wike remarked. “Bode George said the PDP made me, and PDP gave me a national name. I agree. A party cannot make you; you are the one that will make the party popular to win an election. I agree that the PDP made me.”
Wike further alleged that George himself is indebted to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), insisting that neither of them could pay the debt because the properties involved are not registered in their names.
He also contrasted his political achievements with those of PDP leaders in Lagos, stating that he played a pivotal role in ensuring electoral victories for the party both in Rivers State and at the national level.
“Ask Bode George, ‘Who did the PDP make in Lagos since 1999?’ Not anyone. And then you are talking to me who has laboured, campaigned, and won for the party to be the major party in the state and at the national level,” the minister said.
“Meanwhile in your state, the party every day is crying, complaining from 1999. Even when we were in power, we knew what we did to make sure that PDP took over in Lagos. It didn’t work; even when Jonathan came, it didn’t work.”
Chief George had earlier described the FCTA’s decision to seal the PDP national headquarters over unpaid ground rent as “painful,” particularly under a minister who is a member of the party. He argued that Wike should have personally intervened to pay the debt as a gesture of loyalty.
“What is ₦7 million? He should have just said to them, ‘Okay, ₦7 million, I’ll pay from my pocket. Take the receipt back to the party’s secretariat. You see, you people are foolish. I’m completely committed to this house; I am completely loyal to this house. I will not decimate it. This is the receipt, give me back my money.’ That is what you call a true son of that family,” George said.
The FCTA had sealed the PDP’s Wadata Plaza headquarters on May 27 during the enforcement of a sweeping action that affected 4,794 properties over non-payment of ground rent spanning 10 to 43 years. The operation impacted government agencies, private corporations, and individuals.
Following a directive from President Bola Tinubu, the defaulters were granted a 14-day grace period to settle their outstanding payments, including penalties.
