Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticised former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy National Chairman, Chief Bode George, urging him to act with the maturity expected of an elder statesman.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Olayinka said George should “take a rest” and stop, in his words, “embarrassing himself and the Yoruba race” through his repeated public criticism of political opponents.

The FCT spokesperson argued that, having served as Military Governor of the old Ondo State in 1988, George should demonstrate greater decorum in public discourse rather than “jumping from one television station to another” to criticise younger politicians.

Olayinka also questioned George’s political record in Lagos State, claiming the PDP had failed to make significant electoral gains under his leadership since 1999.

“Unlike Lagos State, we have had PDP governors in Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Oyo and Osun states. Rather than talking all the time, Bode George needs to explain why the PDP has remained on the sidelines of Lagos politics since 1999,” he said.

He further urged the PDP chieftain to conduct himself in a manner befitting his age, arguing that respect for elders in Yoruba culture is earned through responsible conduct.

Olayinka also questioned why George remained one of the few senior politicians from his era who continued to engage in frequent public political exchanges, suggesting that many of his contemporaries had adopted a more restrained approach.