Bode George

Olabode Ibiyinka George ("Bode George") is a Nigerian politician who became Military Governor of Ondo State, and later Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority, then national vice-chairman in the southwest zone of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). In October 2009 he was sentenced to a 30-month jail term for charges that included contracts splitting and inflation.

Early years

George was born on November 21, 1945 in Lagos. He earned a B.Sc and MBA. Bode George became a Commodore in the Nigerian navy, and was appointed Military Governor of Ondo State (1988–1990). The African Concorde magazine reported that George treated the state budget as his own, spending lavishly and handing out inflated contracts in return for large kick-backs. In a July 2002 interview, Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu said Bode George needed to face a criminal tribunal over his activity in Ondo state. He said "Bode George and his fellow travellers who believe in military arbitrariness have to be told in clear terms that their time has passed, we are under democracy now." In response the PDP party Chairman, Alhaji Muhammed Muritala Ashorobi, said Bode George had an outstanding record as governor of old Ondo State, and the structures he built were key monuments. He established the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo by edict in 1990, a school that now has over 4,000 students. While governor, he was attacked at a ceremony in the University of Lagos (UNILAG), of which he is an alumnus.