The relationship between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Bode George, yesterday, soured as the latter told the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election to wait till 2031, if he wants to contest again....READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE ▶▶
But in a swift reaction, Atiku said he is currently preoccupied with the plight of Nigerians, who have been exposed to unprecedented hunger and deprivation amid plenty of permutations for 2027.
George, in a statement, insisted that a Southerner must occupy the office of the President from 2023 to 2031 “because that is the reality of our country, PDP Constitution and our polity.”
He counselled that by 2027 Atiku will be 81 years “and this is the time for him to embrace (US) President Joe Biden’s concept of allowing the younger generation to run for the highest office in the land.”
George continued: “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, the PDP will field a Southerner as a presidential candidate.
“Aside from that, General Buhari, a Northerner from Katsina State just left office after eight years. Alhaji Abubakar is also a Northerner from Adamawa State. So, power cannot go to the North in 2027. That is the reality of our country and our party’s Constitution.
“But if Alhaji Abubakar is desperate to contest again, I will advise him as a friend, a party man and brother to wait till 2031. By then, he will be 85 years.
“As loyal party members, we must continue to respect the PDP Constitution. Fair is fair. I joined the PDP in 1998 and have remained with this party since then.
On allegations that he was a tribalist, the former Military Administrator of Ondo State said: “I read a report by one of Alhaji Abubakar’s media aides accusing me of tribalism. I just laughed.
“My best friend today is a Fulani man, Admiral Murtala Nyako. I was the Director-General of the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Presidential Campaign Organisation for the 2007 elections. The late President trusted me. So, I cannot be accused of being tribalistic.
“I can boldly say that I am a detribalised Nigerian and a committed member of the PDP. I don’t harbour any disdain or hate for Alhaji Abubakar or any other PDP member. I expect every member of the party to embrace and respect the entrenched principles of zoning and rotation, bestowed on the party by our founding fathers since its inception in 1998, no matter whose ox is gored.
:That is the position which I will continue to champion till thy kingdom come.”
2027 is not on my mind — Atiku
Reacting to George’s remarks, Atiku, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, said: “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.
“The average citizen and indeed all Nigerians need to survive the tsunami that has become the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
“It is insensitive to be talking about 2027 now when the 2023 mandate has not yielded any tangible benefits for Nigerians, who are now far worse off in every facet of life.
“Bode George himself should also turn his attention to counselling Tinubu to reassess some of his ill-advised policies that have deepened poverty and divisions in our country instead of prioritising the politics of 2027.”
