PDP's Iroko Tree Endures Atiku's Exit – Bode George

Senior leader and Head of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olabode George, stated that even though key members of the party, such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have left, the party continues to stand strong like an Iroko tree and will endure the challenges.

Chief George made this statement on Thursday evening during his appearance on Channels Television's Politics Today show.

He observed that while an Iroko tree might lose branches, it stayed sturdy following a storm, noting that one person did not constitute a group.

This gathering is like an Iroko tree. When you enter the forest, and an Iroko tree is located in the center of it, regardless of the storm that occurs, some of the smaller trees will be uprooted and disappear. The Iroko tree may lose one or two branches, but after the storm, it stays strong and firm.

"I have been part of this event since the start. I have served as chairman of the National Convention and Director General of the Presidential Campaign. I have traveled throughout this country, moving from place to place in support of the campaign. And I know that in almost every village you visit, you will hear about the PDP. So if you're referring to an individual, that person alone doesn't define a party," he said.

The former National Deputy Chairman of the PDP also mentioned that the party was not the personal domain of any one person, and that the party operated under established regulations, implying that the former Vice President might have departed the party because of its candidacy zoning rules.

Our party does not belong to any single individual. You just informed the public, the audience listening, that he has entered and left the party approximately three or four times. So what? He should continue to be considered one of the founding fathers. If your house is leaking or needs fixing, you stay there, ensure it is properly repaired and strong.

The party's public image holds greater significance than your individual business or personal interests. I have spoken with him and I continue to offer my guidance. What are you aiming to achieve? Due to our party's regulations, it suggests that your main focus is trying to challenge us for the presidential nomination.

"The guidelines within our party are quite clear. When a presidential candidate comes from the North, they serve for eight years. After those eight years, it has to shift to the South. I didn't create these rules. And if you believe your personal freedom is more significant than the corporate interests of this nation, best of luck to you," he stated.

Bode George also mentioned that Atiku might have been the automatic presidential nominee of the PDP in 2007, noting that the individual he had left the party to back was now the President.

And I want to inform you, when Baba Obasanjo was departing in 2007, Atiku would have naturally become the presidential candidate, without any obstacles. Why didn't he receive the nomination then? Ask him what occurred.

"He went to see his friend, whether they were fooling themselves or not, everything came together in the end. Who is now at the villa? He was in Lagos, and he told us that he needed to apologize because he was among those who influenced the outcome to keep Bola Tinubu in power. So, who is currently at the villa? We should have a reverence for God in all our actions in life," he said.

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Editorial: Democrats Unashamed in Reversing Special Activity Funds Cut

The Democratic Party often seems to have no shame. They flip their words and actions overnight without hesitation. Their double standards are nothing new, but the party’s sudden reversal on the presidential office’s special activity expenses clearly shows their lack of integrity and conscience.

Last November, when President Lee Jae-myung was party leader, the Democratic Party cut the entire 8.2 billion won special activity expenses budget for the presidential office during a National Assembly budget committee meeting, calling it “a waste of money.” Now in power, Lee has completely reversed his position and insists the funding is necessary. The party announced that the supplementary budget would restore these expenses, just seven months after eliminating them entirely.

According to budget subcommittee documents, Democratic lawmaker Jo Seoung-lae said the funds cover activities closely linked to national security and require strict confidentiality. He called for an increase to ensure smooth government operations. While no exact amount was mentioned, other party members agreed. What was once dismissed as unnecessary is now considered essential, with the budget likely to return at tens of billions of won.

Under Article 44 of the National Finance Act, special activity expenses fund certain government operations. This includes condolence money, rewards, and farewell payments given by the president, as well as secret security activities carried out by the National Security Office. The funds are meant to support sensitive or overlooked areas of government work. Yet the Democratic Party cut the entire budget.

When the People Power Party raised objections at the time, President Lee dismissed them, saying it was absurd to claim the government could not operate without these funds. Former Democratic floor leader Park Chan-dae also said cutting the expenses would not paralyze the government. At the same time, the party left untouched the National Assembly’s own 980 million won in special activity expenses and 18.5 billion won in discretionary funds. The party now says the presidential office can use the funds if it provides justification and follows transparent procedures. But they say nothing about why they cut the funds before.

Special activity expenses are necessary regardless of who is in power. The Democratic Party knew this but cut the budget entirely for political reasons. If they now want to use those funds, they should start by apologizing. That is the least they can do to show responsibility.

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