Lagos PDP Slams Wike Over Bode George Comments: “Lagos No Be Rivers”
LAGOS, NIGERIA — The political feud between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and elders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a messy turn on Saturday, August 8, 2026, as the Lagos State Chapter of the party issued a scathing response to the Minister’s recent media outbursts.
In a strongly-worded open letter signed by the Lagos State PDP Publicity Secretary, Prince Dr. Christopher Odianarewo, the chapter warned Wike to stay out of Lagos politics and face his ministerial duties in Abuja, declaring bluntly, “Lagos no be Rivers.”
The Genesis of the Clash
The public spat was triggered by statements credited to Wike, through his spokesperson Mr. Lere Olayinka, where the FCT Minister boasted that he had “no regret blocking Bode George’s PDP National Chairmanship aspiration.” Wike also reportedly mocked George’s political relevance, pointing to poor voting figures at his local polling unit and blaming him for the party’s electoral decline in Lagos since 2003.
Responding to the claims, the Lagos PDP described Wike’s comments as an “intellectually weak” obsession with High Chief Olabode Ibiyinka George.
“You Didn’t Block Anyone”
The Lagos PDP dismissed Wike’s claims of political dominance, stating that Bode George voluntarily stepped down his chairmanship ambition in the interest of fairness and party unity, rather than being forced out by Wike.
“Who appointed you the owner of the PDP?” the statement queried. “And who gave you the authority to determine which legitimate aspiration of a party member should live or die?”
The chapter also pointed out a glaring contradiction in Wike’s narrative, reminding the Minister that he had personally visited Bode George’s Abuja residence to “appease” him after the convention.
“If he was truly the ‘failed politician’ you now portray him to be, why were you, as a sitting governor, personally visiting his home? Your own words expose the contradiction,” the statement read.
Defending Lagos PDP’s History
The opposition chapter hit back at Wike’s attempt to rewrite its history, denying that the party went under after 2003. According to the party, Lagos PDP has consistently maintained elected representatives in the House of Representatives, the Lagos State House of Assembly, and various Local Government Councils over the years.
The party also took a swipe at former Lagos PDP Chairman, Deji Doherty, whom Wike referenced in his remarks. The chapter challenged Doherty to demonstrate his own electoral strength at his polling unit before positioning himself as a political savior, dismissing his activities as “television theatrics.”
“Face Abuja, Leave Lagos Alone”.
The press release concluded with a firm warning to the FCT Minister to respect regional boundaries and concentrate on his federal assignment.
“Minister Wike, Nigerians expect you to concentrate on the responsibilities assigned to you as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. You have a full-time responsibility in Abuja. Lagos has its own people, its own history, its own political structures and, most importantly, its own destiny. You cannot impose your Rivers political mentality on Lagos,” the statement concluded.
At the time of this report, Minister Wike’s media team has yet to respond to the open letter from the Lagos PDP chapter.
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