A prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party's Board of Trustees, Chief Bode George, has strongly criticized the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, over the sealing of the party's national secretariat in Abuja due to unpaid ground rent.

Speaking on Channels Television's Politics Today on Tuesday, George expressed dismay that Wike, a PDP member himself, allowed the enforcement action to proceed against the party headquarters, also known as Wadata Plaza.

The sealing occurred on Monday during a broader enforcement operation by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) that targeted 4,794 properties with outstanding ground rent payments ranging from 10 to 43 years. The affected properties included those owned by government institutions, corporate organizations, and individuals.

George suggested that Wike, as a beneficiary of the party's platform throughout his political career, should have demonstrated loyalty by personally settling the N7 million debt on behalf of the party.

"What is N7 million? He should have just said to them, 'Okay, N7 million, I'll pay from my pocket. Take the receipt back to the party's secretariat. You see, you people are foolish,'" George stated.

The PDP chieftain further elaborated: "'I'm completely committed to this house; I am completely loyal to this house. I will not decimate it. This is the receipt, give me back my money.' That is what you call a true son of that family."

George noted that the timing of the enforcement was suspicious, as it coincided with a scheduled National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party. He also pointed out that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was among other organizations with outstanding ground rent obligations.

Following the enforcement action, President Bola Tinubu reportedly intervened, granting defaulters a 14-day grace period to settle their outstanding ground rents along with associated penalties.

While acknowledging that the PDP had erred in failing to meet its financial obligations, George maintained that Wike's actions raised questions about his commitment to the party that had provided him with numerous political opportunities throughout his career.

The PDP Board of Trustees has reportedly convened an emergency meeting to address the situation and the party's response to the sealing of its national headquarters.