Chief Bode George, a prominent figure in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Deputy National Chairman, has suggested that Atiku Abubakar, the PDP’s candidate in the 2023 presidential election, should delay his political ambitions until 2031.
George, who previously served as the military governor of Ondo State, made this statement in a detailed address on Wednesday. He pointed out that the 2023 presidential election saw Abubakar lose to President Bola Tinubu, noting that for the sake of party fairness and national unity, a Southerner should hold the presidency from 2023 until 2031.
“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,” George, a former military governor of Ondo State,” he said.
George elaborated that immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari, a Northerner, has just completed an eight-year term, and the presidency should now be allocated to a Southerner.
He cited Section 7, Sub-section 3 (C) of the PDP Constitution, which mandates zoning and rotation for fairness. “In our party, this is the right and logical thing to do in the present political circumstances,” he added.
He added: “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 brother to wait till 2031. By then, he will be 85 years old.
“As loyal party members, we must continue to respect the PDP Constitution. Fair is fair. I joined the PDP in 1998 and I have remained in this party since.”
The PDP chieftain said that he was elected National Vice-Chair (South-West) and later, Deputy- deputy-national chairman and now, a member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) and one of the respected elders and credible voices of our party.
He said: “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.
“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,” he said.
