A group, under the aegis of Face of Waziri-Nigeria (FOWN), has faulted a statement by an elder statesman, Olabode George, that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Atiku Abubakar, should not contest the 2027 general elections.

In a statement in Lagos, the group’s Director-General, Bukky Adeojo, berated George for advising Atiku, saying that he (Goerge) is not in the position to make such a comment. He said that George’s basis for advising Atiku, against re-contesting in 2027 “smacks of a venomous articulation of a pathological mandate waster.”

According to the group, George has played lead roles in sabotaging the efforts of the PDP stakeholders in the past and therefore lacks any iota of honour to counsel anyone, let alone a well-dignified Atiku Abubakar.

George was described as the main traducer of good fortune wielded by the PDP’s candidates both at the state and national levels and therefore not qualified to negatively meddle in an all-important discourse that pertains to the future of Nigeria, rather he should support Atiku come 2027.

“He should not be a tribal bigot and it is time for him to support Atiku’s competency and well-rounded knowledge of Nigeria’s economy and challenges, but he equally has his right to support whoever he wants that can butter his bread.

“Trump is 78 years old and he contested and Americans preferred him to Kamala. How old is Trump, Tinubu and Atiku?” he said. Adeojo further said: “We are aware of Bode George’s romance with the opposition in Lagos State for many years, but we thought the older an elder is, the better wise counsel he gives, but Bode George’s case is different.”

“You came to this world with nothing and you shall go back with nothing. Why must you destroy Atiku simply for the crunch of pizza or pounded yam from Bourdillon?

“Bode George has no power or capacity to advise Atiku not to contest based on age when his kinsman and paymaster, Bola Tinubu, is of the same age as Atiku.
“Where was Bode George when Atiku and others were forming the PDP with Solomon Lar, Alex Ekwueme, Sunday Awoniyi, Jerry Ghana and others? In what capacity is Bode George advising Atiku?

“Has Atiku ever written a letter or memo to Bode Goerge asking him for money to run his campaign? What contribution has Bode George made in support of Atiku’s campaign since he said Atiku had been contesting for long? Is Bode George not the patron of Nyesom Wike and the Jackson 5?”