Elder statesman and former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has advised Atiku Abubakar to abandon his aspirations for the presidency in future elections.
Speaking during a press briefing at his Ikoyi, Lagos office to mark his 79th birthday, George emphasized that Atiku, who would be 81 years old by 2027, has faced continuous electoral defeats since 1993. He expressed concerns over the potential impact of Atiku’s ambitions on the unity and future of the PDP.
According to George, “Some members, including myself, would not allow his desperation to destroy this party.”
The elder politician warned that Atiku’s insistence on pursuing his presidential aspirations could lead to divisions within the party and urged him to prioritize the collective interest of the PDP over personal ambition.
“Now to Atiku, you will be 81-years-old in 2027. And you have been contesting for the presidency since 1993. This is the time for you to calm down and act like an elder. I appeal to you in the name of the Almighty Allah that you serve,” he said.
“Don't waste your time again In 2027, you've been contesting since 1993…..”
Bode George tackles elder statesman Atiku Abubakar pic.twitter.com/JwbQj30hHS
— Ayekooto (@DeeOneAyekooto) November 21, 2024
He insists that the party must stop pretentious members of the party who are romancing the All Progressives Congress (APC) while trying to dictate the tune and the direction of the PDP.
Speaking about the crisis in Rivers State, Bode George rhetorically asked whether the Governor of Rivers State should be a jester, errand boy, or slave to satisfy his predecessor. And asks why so-called party leaders have not mediated the conflict to date.
The former deputy chairman of the PDP said that FCT Minister Nyesom Wike should stop attacking the party both domestically and internationally.
He acknowledged that while he has the right to be upset about the party’s presidential primary outcome, he should exercise caution to avoid turning into a joke that no one will take seriously.
George, who is also the Atona Oodua of Yoruba land, said there was the need to reposition the party before the 2027 general elections, calling on the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of PDP, Senator Adolphis Wabara, to invite all national elders of the party for a meeting on the way forward for it before the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party slated for 28th November, 2024.
He said that this became imperative because some members, were allegedly working for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the build-up to the 2027 elections, saying that the affected members “have one leg in PDP and another leg in APC.”
According to him, such people, who he described as chameleonic characters are the ones trying to dictate the direction of this party, saying that their outburst was always marked by unwarranted claims to political and social standing in the country.
“I am raising the alarm today that our party is at the precipice of a dangerous looming crisis if pending critical party issues are not urgently addressed.
“In fact, our party is derailing. And this is unfortunate because the crisis in our party has further complicated the present tragedy in the socio-economic indices of our dear nation.
“It is a pity that some members, who are pretentious, are already working for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the build-up to the 2027 elections. They have one leg in PDP and another leg in APC. Such chameleonic characters are the ones trying to dictate the direction of this party. Their rhetoric is always marked by unwarranted claims to political and social standing, power and dominance, using meaningless language with an exaggerated style and importance to impress Nigerians and APC,” the PDP chieftain said.
Chief George, however, advised those who were thinking of bringing the party down because they did not have their way to learn from the late Chief Alex Ekwueme, who he said was one of the founding fathers of PDP, contested the the presidential ticket with the former President Olusegun Obasanjo and lost, but did not work for the opposition as he “ensured that this party remained strong till he died.”
“Pa Ekwueme and others started this party with G14 and G34. They laid a solid foundation for PDP.
“He contested and lost against former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Despite that, he did not threaten anybody. He did not work for the opposition. Instead, he ensured that this party remained strong till he died,” George said.
