By Ihechi Enyinnaya
Elder statesman and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to honour the memories of two late nationalist figures, Pa Ayo Adebanjo and Chief Edwin Clark, by releasing and implementing the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference.
George who spoke during a press conference in Lagos on Friday, recalled the pivotal roles both men played in shaping Nigeria’s political structure and guiding the 2014 confab discussions convened under former President Goodluck Jonathan. He urged Tinubu to “do one good turn” in remembrance of their legacy.
“But for Papa Adebayo, would he have taken the ticket to the governorship of Lagos?” George asked, referencing President Tinubu’s political ascent. “Now, between him and Papa Clark — in their memories — let the report of the conference be released. That is where we can be at peace. Right now, the ship of state is drifting. I’m a sailor.”
George, who also served as a delegate to the 2014 confab, spoke with a blend of nostalgia and urgency, highlighting that the recommendations were reached unanimously by a broad spectrum of Nigerian society — from students to traditional rulers, business leaders to political icons.
“We discussed, we argued, and every decision in that report was unanimously agreed upon at the preliminary session,” he noted. “From old men to young people, we were all there. That document holds the key to restructuring Nigeria.”
He lamented the state of governance in the country, pointing to the over-centralized system enshrined in Nigeria’s current constitution — a legacy, he argued, of military rule. “This constitution is defective. It is so military. It’s set up with only one man — the president — telling everyone who should get up and who should sleep,” George said.
Drawing attention to issues of imbalance in local government structures, George questioned why Lagos, the most populous state, has only 20 local government areas compared to smaller states like Kano and Katsina, which have 44 and 34 respectively — a disparity he said the 2014 confab had addressed.
He also paid glowing tributes to Pa Adebayo and Chief Clark, who passed away within a week of each other. “These two Babas were the vanguard of the old generation. May the Almighty grant them rest,” he said, describing Adebayo as having “the posture of a Buddha” and Clark as “a symbol of unity.”
George, who referred to himself as being on “the eighth floor of life,” added, “We are going to take over from where they stopped. This is a direct appeal to Mr. President. He knows what to do.”
He expressed deep concern over the worsening economic hardship in Nigeria, blaming poor leadership and inconsistent policies for the suffering of ordinary citizens. Speaking to journalists, George said the country is “drifting dangerously” and called for urgent reforms to stabilize governance and improve the welfare of Nigerians.
He also took a swipe at state governors who frequently switch political parties, accusing them of lacking principle and putting personal ambition above the national interest. “Jumping from one party to another shows a lack of ideological conviction,” he said, warning that such political instability only deepens public mistrust in leadership.