Chief Olabode George, the former Deputy National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has expressed concern over Nigeria’s ongoing political and governance challenges, blaming them on tribalism, religious intolerance, and a fundamentally flawed democratic system.
In an interview, the veteran politician emphasized that without genuine restructuring, Nigeria’s democratic experiment will remain unsuccessful.
Commenting on the nation’s vast resources, George lamented how greed and personal interests have hindered the country’s progress and potential.
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“God gave us a massive land, rich in both natural and human resources. There is no part of this country that isn’t blessed. Yet, greed and self-interest continue to plague us,” he said.
He criticized political elites for neglecting good governance, which has allowed corruption and inefficiency to thrive.
“Other nations envy what we have, but we waste it. Look at Ghana; during their elections, the sitting president conceded before the final results. No manipulations, no drama. Here, we introduce a new system, and suddenly, there’s a glitch. It’s disgraceful.”
George identified tribalism and religious intolerance as significant barriers to national unity and effective governance.
“People make a big deal out of religious differences, ‘Oh, this one is a Muslim,’ or ‘That one is a Christian.’ But what does that have to do with the price of milk?” he asked.
He shared personal stories of religious tolerance, mentioning how his elder sister married a Muslim and eventually became an Alhaja.
“She remained my sister till the end. So, I ask, what do religious labels have to do with how we treat one another?”
George stated that politicians deliberately exploit these divisions for their own personal benefit.
“The British left us two devils: tribalism and religious bigotry. But tell me, what does religion have to do with governance?”
George was blunt in his criticism of Nigeria’s political structure, stating that the existing system is inherently flawed.
“It has failed, absolutely. The current constitution is the root of our problems. Every month, states go to Abuja to collect their share of national revenue instead of generating their own. That’s not democracy; it’s a unitary system disguised as federalism,” he asserted.
He called for a return to the six-zone structure suggested by former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, arguing that it would ensure a fairer distribution of power.
“When one region hoards all the power, resentment builds. That’s exactly what happened to my party. The presidential candidate, national chairman, and other key positions all came from the same region. That was a fundamental mistake,” he explained.
George asserts that meaningful restructuring is the only way for Nigeria to progress.
“Not just any restructuring, but a real, practical one. If we continue on this path, we are only postponing disaster.”
He cautioned that failing to implement true reforms would exacerbate the country’s challenges.
“People are suffering. The price of fuel is crippling businesses, yet those who control the banking sector are making billions. If the president truly cares about the people, he should work with the financial sector to stabilize fuel prices,” he urged.
Amidst the country’s economic struggles, insecurity, and increasing youth unemployment, George urged for immediate reforms.
“We had trade centers where people learned carpentry, tailoring, and hairdressing. Now, nothing. That’s why we have a Yahoo Yahoo epidemic, because the system has failed young people,” he said.
He issued a stern warning to political leaders: “Nothing lasts forever. Power is temporary. If you are in leadership, use the opportunity to serve, not to loot. A land of plenty should not have starving citizens. If we don’t change course, history will not be kind to us.”
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