2027 Elections: Don’t Toy With Nigerians’ Votes, Bode George Warns INEC
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against compromising the conduct of the 2027 general elections or tampering with the will of Nigerians.
Speaking on The Discourse with Jimi Disu on Nigeria Info 99.3 FM, Lagos, Chief George said there is currently a “pervasive silence of the graveyard” in the country, warning that the people may be forced to react angrily if INEC misbehaves.
The former National Vice Chairman of the PDP cautioned that the 1962 political turmoil would be a “child’s play” compared to what might happen if INEC undermines the credibility of the electoral process. He recalled that during the 2023 elections, the server provider had alleged that INEC deliberately switched off its system, contrary to the commission’s claim of a technical glitch.
On the speculated return of former President Goodluck Jonathan on the PDP platform in 2027, Chief George clarified that Jonathan could still contest, explaining that his first swearing-in was as Vice President following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and the second was after his election in 2011. According to him, the 2007 swearing-in does not count since Jonathan was not elected President then. He expressed hope that the Supreme Court would give a definitive ruling on the matter.
Reacting to the resignation of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar from the PDP, George remarked that Atiku could “go and queue” if he wished to return, accusing him of pursuing a self-centered ambition to become President at all costs.
He, however, commended Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, for standing firm in the PDP despite what he described as provocations from the Federal Government. He praised Adeleke for ensuring the payment of council officials’ salaries in the last five months despite a subsisting court ruling that the withholding of allocations was unconstitutional and autocratic.
Chief George also faulted comments by the Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who recently lauded the Tinubu administration’s handling of the economy. He argued that her assessment was inaccurate since she no longer resides in Nigeria.
“Good governance is what we want in Nigeria. But she is there talking what she likes because she no longer lives in the country. Let her come and feel it here,” he said.
On the power sector, the PDP stalwart recalled that 18 gas turbines were ordered by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to boost Nigeria’s electricity supply to 11,000 megawatts. He urged Nigerians to question successive governments on what became of the turbines.
