Chief Bode George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has advised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to wait until 2031 if he wishes to run for president again.
In a statement on Wednesday, George emphasized that a Southerner should hold the presidency from 2023 to 2031, citing the realities of Nigeria’s political landscape, the PDP constitution, and the nation’s governance structure.
“By 2027, Atiku will be 81 years old, and it’s time for him to embrace the idea of allowing the younger generation to run for the highest office in the land, similar to what U.S. President Joe Biden did by stepping aside for Kamala Harris,” George stated. He added, “I have nothing personal against Alhaji Abubakar. He is my friend, but the truth must be told. By 2027, I will also be in my 80s. What am I looking for in public office at that age? The same principle should apply to Alhaji Abubakar.”
George pointed out that former President Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner from Katsina State, had just completed an eight-year tenure, making it unreasonable for power to return to the North in 2027. He argued that the PDP must follow its constitution, which mandates zoning and rotation for fairness, justice, and equity.
George further advised Atiku to wait until 2031 if he is determined to run again, by which time he would be 85 years old. He urged all PDP members to respect the party’s constitution and the principles of zoning and rotation that have guided the party since its inception in 1998.
In response to accusations from Atiku’s media adviser, Paul Ibe, who called George a “tribal bigot” for his stance on power rotation, George dismissed the claim as laughable. He cited his long-standing relationships with people from various ethnic backgrounds, including his best friend, Admiral Murtala Nyako, a Fulani man, and his role as Director-General of the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Presidential Campaign Organization in 2007, to refute the allegations of tribalism.
George called on all PDP members to embrace and respect the party’s established principles of zoning and rotation, which he vowed to continue championing. He emphasized that these principles are crucial for maintaining balance and unity within the party and the country.