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Bode George Asks Atiku To Wait Till 2031 For Presidency
The political feud between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, heated up on Wednesday, August 28, when George encouraged Atiku to wait until 2031 if he wants to run for president again.
George started the conversation by claiming that if Atiku had won the 2023 elections, the country would have fallen. Atiku, through his spokesman Paul Ibe, responded by claiming that Nigeria would have benefited under his leadership.
In a subsequent remark, George reaffirmed his viewpoint, underlining that a Southerner must hold the presidency for the next eight years to maintain the balance of power, following the North’s recent eight-year term. He referenced the PDP Constitution and the party’s long-standing ideals of zoning and rotation, arguing that they must be upheld.
George, a former Military Governor of Ondo State, pointed out that Atiku will be 81 years old by the 2027 election and advised that he move aside, much as US President Joe Biden did for Kamala Harris. He urged the PDP to choose a Southerner as their presidential candidate in 2027, in accordance with the “Turn-by-Turn Nigeria Limited” philosophy.
The statement read; “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.
“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 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. Section 7, Sub-section 3 (C) says zoning and rotation must be maintained for justice, fairness and equity. 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. I was elected National Vice Chairman (South-West) and later Deputy National Chairman. Today, I am a member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) and one of the respected elders and credible voices of our party. 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.
“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 also served the Military well. My records are there for all to see. But, you know in politics, people can say anything to tarnish your image. Despite that, the truth must be told. What you will not accept, don’t give to others.”
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli
