Atiku, Bode George disagree over 2027 presidential ambition

Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Bode George, on Wednesday, said ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar must wait until 2031 if he his desperate to run for President again.

George, in a statement on Wednesday, said power would not return to the North, where Atiku is from, until 2031.

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But in a swift reaction, Atiku’s media adviser, Paul Ibe, knocked George, describing his comment as insensitive and premature.

“We cannot afford to put the cart before the horse. At this point, Atiku Abubakar’s preoccupation is not 2027. His concern is about 2024.

“It is about 2025 and 2026 and beyond. His concern is about the plight of Nigerians who are literarily going through hell because of the failed trial-and-error policies of this administration,” Ibe said.

But George, in his statement, argued that after the eight years of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari in power, the South must also complete eight years before power can return to the North in 2031.

Recently, reports have surfaced of Atiku and other northern political leaders working to shift power back to the North in 2027, when President Bola Tinubu, a southerner, will complete his first term in office.

But George, in his statement on Wednesday, argued that a southerner must hold the office of the President from 2023 to 2031 “because that is the reality of our country, the PDP’s Constitution, and our polity.”

He stated “In our party, this is the right and logical thing to do in the present political circumstances. But if Alhaji Abubakar is desperate to contest again, I will advise him, as a friend, a party man and a brother, to wait till 2031. By then, he will be 85 years (old).”

However, George questioned Atiku’s ambition for public office and urged him to follow the example of U.S. President Joe Biden by stepping aside for younger southerners.

“Even in 2027, Atiku will be 81 years and this is the time for him to embrace President Joe Biden’s concept of allowing the younger generation to run for the highest office in the land.

“I have nothing personal against Alhaji Abubakar. He is my friend but the truth must be told. By 2027, by God’s Grace, I will also be in my 80s. So, what am I looking for in public office as an octogenarian? The same principle should apply to Alhaji Abubakar.

“We all saw what American President, Joe Biden, did recently when he stepped down for Kamala Harris to contest the November presidential election.

“That is the hallmark of a statesman. Alhaji Abubakar should do the same so that in 2027, PDP will field a southerner as a presidential candidate.”

He argued that there must be fairness, equity and respect for the PDP Constitution.

“Fair is fair. I joined the PDP in 1998 and I have remained in this party since. I have not defected to any other party. While I was in Wadata Plaza, Alhaji Abubakar was in the Villa as Vice President. So, we know ourselves and the two of us know the principles guiding this party.

“We should not do anything that will destroy our party and the country. In 2027, the concept of Turn-by-Turn Nigeria Limited must be strictly followed by our party.

“The PDP must look for a southerner to wrest power from the APC because that party of strange bedfellows wants to destroy this country, economically and politically.

“So, Nigerians are waiting for us to rescue them in 2027 but a southerner must lead the battle,” George said.

Quadri Olaitan