Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Former deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has said the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, must wait till 2031 if he his desperate to run for presidency again.
George, in a statement on Wednesday, said power would not return to the North, where Atiku hails from, until 2031.
He argued that after the eight years of former President Muhammadu Buhari in power, the South must also complete eight years before power can return to the North in 2031.
The PDP chieftain said 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.”
“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),” he said.
George questioned Atiku’s ambition for public office,urging 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 said.
He added 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.
Responding, Atiku’s media adviser, Paul Ibe, criticised George, describing his comments as “insensitive and premature.”
Atiku asked George to advise President Bola Tinubu to reassess his policies affecting Nigerians and not comment on his political future.
“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,” Ibe said.
