Consider retirement or wait till 2031 to be president, Bode George tells Atiku

Former Deputy National Chairman (South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, has called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to consider retiring from active politics.

George, in a statement issued on Wednesday, advised Abubakar to wait until 2031 if he still hopes to become president.

He stated that power cannot return to the North in 2027 after Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year tenure as president, adding that “Nigerians are waiting for us to rescue them in 2027,” but a Southerner must lead the battle.

The PDP chieftain noted that he has nothing personal against Atiku, noting that the latter is his friend, but questioned the need for octogenarians to hold public office.

He praised American President Joe Biden’s decision to step down for Kamala Harris as a hallmark of statesmanship and called on Atiku to do the same in 2027.

“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,” George said.

“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, the PDP will field a Southerner as the presidential candidate. Aside from that, [retired] General [Muhammadu] Buhari, a Northerner from Katsina State, just left office after eight years.”

George added that the PDP must respect its constitution and field a Southerner as the presidential candidate in 2027 to maintain the principle of zoning and rotation.

He also referenced the PDP’s constitution, specifically Section 7, Sub-section 3 (C), which states that zoning and rotation must be maintained for justice, fairness, and equity.

George noted that PDP must continue to respect the party institution, noting that members should not do anything that will destroy the party and the country, stating, “In 2027, the concept of ‘Turn-by-Turn Nigeria Limited’ must be strictly followed by our party.”

“I expect every member of the party to embrace and respect the entrenched principles of zoning and rotation bestowed on the party by our founding fathers since its inception in 1998, no matter whose ox is gored. The principles explicitly stipulate that, at the end of every eight years, all elective and party offices should change from the Northern divide to the Southern divide, and vice versa. That is the position which I will continue to champion till thy kingdom come,” he added.

Atiku, who has run for president six times, has voiced his intention to continue contesting as long as he is healthy.

In May, Abubakar, who was PDP standard-bearer in the 2023 elections, said he would “keep contesting” for the Nigerian presidency as long as he is hale and hearty.