Bode George threatens lawsuit, denies Wike’s claim on Abuja house

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Bode George

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A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has denied allegations by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, that his residence in Abuja’s Maitama District was acquired with funds belonging to the Rivers State Government.

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George also threatened legal action against the minister, describing the allegation as false and defamatory.

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Speaking during an interview on TVC News on Wednesday night, the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) member dismissed Wike’s claims, insisting that he lawfully purchased the property from its original owner, a retired civil servant.

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According to him, the property had no connection whatsoever with the Rivers State Government.

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“I didn’t build the house. I bought it through an agent, and the original owner was a retired civil servant.

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What has Rivers State got to do with my property? Am I from Rivers State? Is Rivers State a bank?” George said.

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He described Wike’s remarks as irresponsible and accused the minister of making baseless allegations.

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George further said he considered it beneath him to engage in a public war of words with Wike, whom he described as being about the same age as his first child.

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He, however, criticised the minister’s conduct, alleging that he required medical attention and was unfit to occupy public office without proper guidance.

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“I said to myself that the young man needs urgent psychiatric attention. How can anyone claim that my house in Abuja was bought with Rivers State money? I didn’t even build the house; I bought it,” he said.

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The PDP chieftain also alleged that Wike’s public disagreements with members of his family undermined his moral authority to lecture others on corruption.

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George vowed to institute legal proceedings against the FCT minister over the allegations.

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“I’m going to sue him over these allegations and his reckless statements. He has gone too far,” he said.

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Asked whether he could still work with Wike in the interest of the PDP, George ruled out the possibility, saying the minister had gone beyond redemption.

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The latest exchange is another chapter in the long-running public feud between the two PDP leaders over the party’s leadership crisis.

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During a media chat in Abuja on Tuesday, Wike described George as the “father of corruption” and challenged him to explain how he acquired his Maitama residence.

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The minister alleged that the property was funded with Rivers State resources and accused George of branding the judiciary corrupt whenever court decisions did not favour him.

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Wike also questioned George’s credentials as one of the founding leaders of the PDP, arguing that the party had failed to win any major election in Lagos State since 1999 under his influence.

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“I have said people should ask him whether the house he is living in Maitama was not built with Rivers State government money. Each time he loses a case, he says the judiciary is corrupt, but when he wins, the judiciary is no longer corrupt,” Wike said.

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When asked to substantiate the allegation regarding the Abuja property, the minister insisted he stood by his claim.

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“I have made my statement. Let him come and prove otherwise,” he said.

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Wike also rejected allegations of corruption in the judiciary over conflicting court judgments involving the PDP, arguing that differing judicial decisions should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of corruption.

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According to him, parties should carefully study court judgments and the applicable laws before making allegations against the judiciary.

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The dispute comes amid the lingering leadership crisis within the PDP, which has continued to pitch prominent party leaders against one another over the party’s direction and internal affairs.

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