A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, has warned that Nigeria faces the risk of collapse if opposition voices continue to be weakened, stressing that democracy cannot survive without balance and institutional independence.
Speaking in an interview on ARISE News on Wednesday, George said he wrote an open letter to President Bola Tinubu out of concern over what he described as growing suppression of opposition voices and dangerous political tensions, reports Arise TV.
“Don’t allow this country to collapse. We have seen it in the past. Please avoid the pitfalls of the past,” he said.
He added, “Power is transient, no matter how long. Someday you will relieve yourself of that power. Someday you will also pass on.”
George argued that the current political climate reflects deeper systemic stress, warning that actions capable of destabilising opposition parties could have grave consequences for national stability.
“We are civilized men. Yes, we have disagreements. They have increased the tempo to a level where we cannot, we cannot,” he said.
“Now, if we have to start acting physically or violently against what they are doing, it will mean Nigeria is ablaze.”
The PDP chieftain insisted that despite internal crises within the opposition, the appropriate path remains the judiciary, even as he questioned some recent court decisions.
“The only other outlet for us is to go to the judiciary for adjudication,” he said.
He criticised what he described as questionable rulings, citing a case involving party processes and deadlines.
“What kind of nonsense is that? You could see that that was nothing but pre-emptive tension,” he said.
“But what was his judgment? He said he was right. Where are we going, for God’s sake?”
George also reflected on Nigeria’s historical leadership role in Africa, contrasting it with what he described as the current state of governance.
“Look, Nigeria is still the giant of Africa. We liberated South Africa,” he said.
“That was the giant of Africa. Right now, we are behaving as if there is only one man who can decide.”
He stressed that democracy must remain rooted in the will of the people.
“Democracy comes from the bottom. The will of the people must be respected.”
Addressing internal PDP disputes, including divisions over zoning and leadership struggles, George defended his position during the party’s crisis, stating that decisions were guided by established principles.
“By our principles, you had the year after eight years in the north, it must come back for eight years in the south,” he said.
“I didn’t support Wike personally. Then later on, we looked at it. They invited me that we want people to be together to save the party.”
He also reacted to a viral video allegedly showing Femi Gbajabiamila encouraging actions that could destabilise the opposition, describing the remarks as unacceptable.
“I am utterly, utterly very shocked. I’ve also seen the video of my younger brother,” he said.
“He was utterly wrong. And he must apologize to the public on that statement.”
George maintained that while political actors may make mistakes, accountability remains essential.
“It is not right. It is utter nonsense. And you should withdraw it,” he said.
He concluded by warning that continued disregard for democratic norms and institutional independence could push the country towards a dangerous tipping point.
