Former deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olabode George, has told the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Atiku Abubakar, to wait till 2031 if he wants to contest again.
George said in a statement that a southerner would have to occupy the presidency from 2023 to 2031, because according to him, “that is the reality of our country, PDP constitution and our polity.”
He added that in 2027, Atiku would be 81 years old and advised the former vice president to embrace the American President, Joe Biden’s concept of allowing younger people to run for the highest office in the land.
“I have nothing personal against Atiku. He is my friend but the truth must be told. In 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 him.
“We all saw what Biden did when he stepped down for Kamala Harris to contest the November presidential election. That is the hallmark of a statesman. Atiku should do same so that in 2027, PDP will field a southerner as a presidential candidate.
“Aside from that, Buhari, a northerner from Katsina State, just left office after eight years. Atiku 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 he 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.
“As loyal party members, we must continue to respect the PDP constitution. Fair is fair. We should not do anything that will destroy our party and the country. In 2027, the concept of ‘Turn-by-Turn Nigeria Limited’ must be strictly followed by our party. The 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.
“So, Nigerians are waiting for us to rescue them in 2027 but a Southerner must lead the battle.
“I read a report by one of his media aides accusing me of tribalism and 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 can boldly say that I am a detribalised Nigerian and a committed member of the PDP. I don’t harbour any disdain or hate for Atiku or any other PDP member. 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 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,” George said.
Credit: The Sun
Major (Barr) Aburime Ben (rtd).
August 29, 2024 at 11:50 amBode George is right. I see NOTHING in his advice suggestive of wanting a Tinubu second term. It’s crystal clear that the PDP intends fielding a Southern candidate come 2027. Wherein therefore lies the charge of tribalism, not unless Atiku sees Tinubu as defecting to the PDP come 2027.
Atiku should go to hell, if there’s no other place for him to go to. Why must he be hell-bent on ruling Nigeria, as if it’s a birthright he must? Atiku should realise he’s one of the reasons APC is still in power after Buhari’s abysmal under-performance. Had Atiku’s greed and selfish interests allowed him let a Southern candidate run for PDP in 2023, APC wouldn’t have stood a chance, even with INEC’s connivance, and Nigeria wouldn’t be where it is today. Tinubu’s greatest strategic plan was partly to ensure a detested and shaddy Atiku ( according to OBJ) ran, thereby limiting the policy’s choice, aside dividing Peter Obi’s votes.
Should Atiku run again in 2027 or even 2031, then I see APC continuing in government. Only place Atiku can run to, is his village, not even Dubai. Rather than Atiku ruling Nigeria, it will be more reasonable to change our Nigerian Constitution, to allow Tinubu become The Imperial Emperor of Nigeria. It will be a case of the devil you know, against the DEMONIC DEVIL you don’t know or want. By the way, should Atiku run for Local Government Councillorship, is he sure any of his wives or children will vote for him? The only good that comes from Atiku’s traditional run for public office could be in his learning to give back to the people what he has taken from them over the years. OBJ is also very much alive, Atiku should remember. I don talk my own.