A senior member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, has called on Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, to issue a public apology over controversial remarks attributed to him concerning the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The demand comes after a video surfaced showing Gbajabiamila encouraging a faction of the ADC, led by Nafiu Gombe and House of Representatives member Leke Abejide, to continue causing internal disruptions within the party. The incident occurred during a birthday celebration hosted by Abejide, where Gbajabiamila praised the lawmaker for his contributions to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and advised him to ignore efforts by APC members to formally bring him into the ruling party.
George, speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show, expressed shock at the comments, emphasizing that while he respects Gbajabiamila personally, the remarks were a serious political error. He stated that although people make mistakes, the statement crossed a line and required public retraction. “I’m very shocked when I saw the video of my younger brother, Femi Gbajabiamila,” George said. “You know that people make mistakes and I did not under any kind of circumstances believe that he would make that kind of mistake.”
He further stressed that the comment was “utterly wrong” and that a public apology was necessary. George clarified that he does not denounce Gbajabiamila as a person but firmly disagrees with the political stance expressed in the video. “He is my brother and I can’t denounce him, but what he said was a monumental political mistake,” he added. “He should apologize for making that mistake publicly. I don’t agree with him.”
The remarks have sparked debate across Nigeria’s political landscape, particularly within the opposition parties, who view the comments as an attempt to destabilize the ADC from within. The ADC, which has been experiencing internal rifts, has not yet responded officially to the video or George’s call for an apology. However, the incident has drawn attention to the growing influence of presidential aides in party politics and the potential for such statements to affect national political dynamics.
As Nigeria continues to navigate a complex political environment ahead of upcoming elections, this development highlights the sensitivity of inter-party relations and the importance of responsible public commentary from high-ranking officials. The outcome of this situation may influence how political figures manage their public statements and the expectations placed on them as key advisors to the president.
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