Daily News24 brings you a biography of Bode George
Olabode Ibiyinka George (Bode George), is a Nigerian politician who served as Military Governor of Ondo State, Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority, and National Vice-Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party’s Southwest Zone (PDP).
Early Life
George was born in Lagos on November 21, 1945. He holds a B.Sc. and an MBA. Bode George rose through the ranks of the Nigerian navy and was appointed Military Governor of Ondo State (1988–1990).
According to the African Concorde journal, George treated state finances as his personal property, spending lavishly and awarding inflated contracts in exchange for large kickbacks.
Face-off with TinubuÂ
In a July 2002 interview, then-Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu stated, “Bode George needed to face a criminal tribunal over his activities in Ondo state.”
“Bode George and his fellow travelers who believe in army arbitrariness must be informed in clear terms that their time has passed because we are now in democracy,” he said.
Responding, Alhaji Muhammed Muritala Ashorobi, the PDP Chairman, stated that Bode George had an impressive history as governor of Ondo State, and the constructions he built have been key monuments.
PDP affiliationÂ
George seemed to be close to President Olusegun Obasanjo and was given first priority in the sale of Lagos state houses. George was appointed as the PDP’s national vice-chairman for the southwest zone in 2001. Later, he was appointed PDP Deputy National Chairman, South, and then PDP National Deputy Chairman.
At a March 2001 rally, George appeared to support Chief Funsho Williams, the runner-up in the Alliance for Democracy (AD) party’s 1998 Lagos State governorship primaries, as the PDP candidate for the 2003 governorship election. Williams eventually defected to the PDP.
This Day reported in January 2005 that Bode George was expected to be named PDP National Chairman at the party’s national convention in November. He was appointed PDP Deputy National Chairman in July 2005. (South). Olabode George called for the resignation of Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who had defected to the Action Congress (AC) party, in February 2007.
The PDP National Disciplinary Committee (NDC), which Bode George led, was disbanded in April 2008.
Nigerian Ports AuthorityÂ
In 1999, George was appointed Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority. During a visit to the Delta ports in February 2001, Bode George called for increased security and discussed the issue of large sums of money owed to the port authority by organizations such as the Petroleum Products Marketing Company, Nigerian National Shipping Line, Delta Steel Company, and Central Water Transport Company.
George stated in April 2001 that one of the causes of port congestion was that importers were slow to clear their goods due to fear of seizure. To alleviate traffic congestion, Bode George proposed the construction of new dry ports and warehouses in May 2001. Chief Bode George directed in September 2001 that all empty containers be moved out of the Lagos seaports to make room. In July 2002, he urged truck owners on strike over cargo clearance at Lagos ports to return to work.
