Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has accused former Senate President and current Interim National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark, of playing a key role in the internal crisis currently rocking the PDP.
In an interview , George claimed that Mark was responsible for organizing the controversial national convention that, according to him, triggered the party’s ongoing instability.
This comes after a recent meeting in Abuja where key opposition leaders including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; David Mark; former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido; and former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal urged PDP members to join forces with the ADC to “rescue Nigeria” ahead of the 2027 general elections.
At the end of the meeting, Mark read a communique stating:
“This coalition is calling on all patriotic Nigerians, especially well-meaning PDP members, to unite for the sake of national unity, democracy, security, economic stability, and the will to fight corruption. The PDP, once a disciplined and visionary party, is now a shadow of itself. The ruling APC has used threats, blackmail, and patronage to weaken the PDP and scatter its ranks.”
Reacting to the statement, George expressed disappointment, saying Mark had no moral right to criticize the PDP after contributing to its problems.
“I’m ashamed of David Mark. That he would tell PDP members to abandon the party is disgraceful and deeply painful. These are people who were raised and empowered by this same party. Now they’ve turned their backs the moment things got tough,” he said.
George went further to describe Mark’s actions as dishonorable.
“This isn’t just arrogance it’s betrayal. He chaired the convention that laid the foundation for the current crisis. Now he wants to act like a savior by pushing people to ADC? I was there when the party leadership backed him for Senate President. What he’s doing now dishonors the legacy of our founding fathers.”
He also criticized Atiku, Mark, and others for abandoning the PDP, calling them “ingrates.”
“They are dancing on the graves of the elders who sacrificed everything to build this party. That comment about PDP being a shadow of its former self is insulting. Who caused the damage? Who chaired the convention that threw everything into chaos?”
Meanwhile, former PDP National Secretary, Ibrahim Tsauri, has come out in support of the ADC coalition. Speaking, Tsauri said there’s nothing wrong with members moving to a new platform if they believe it offers a better chance to save the country.
“Joining or leaving a political party is not a sacred vow it’s a choice. Those calling for unity under the ADC are respected leaders who once shaped the PDP. If they believe this new direction is necessary, they must have their reasons,” Tsauri said.
He warned that foreign interests may be working to sideline the PDP but argued that the party still has strength.
“With 10 governors still under its flag, PDP isn’t finished. But the reality is that the leaders calling for this shift Atiku, Lamido, Mark, Tambuwal have credibility and weight. Their voices matter.”
Tsauri added that the move doesn’t mean the end of the PDP. “They’re not declaring PDP dead. They’re offering a new political route to challenge the APC, which has clearly failed. If PDP eventually regains its footing, I believe these leaders could return.”
He noted that many within the PDP have openly damaged the party without consequences.
“There’s nothing wrong with moving on if you’ve lost faith. Some people within PDP have done worse and faced no discipline. If others feel ADC is the best route to save Nigeria, so be it.”
Capt. Umar Bature (retd), PDP’s National Organising Secretary, also weighed in, saying, “It’s a free world. People are free to make political decisions.”
Despite the defections and tension, Bature insisted the PDP remains a united party.
