Bode George, the former deputy national chairman (south) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has suggested that former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar should consider retiring from active politics.
Gatekeepers News reports that George stated that Abubakar should wait until 2031 if he still aspires to become Nigeria’s president, indicating that he believes the PDP’s presidential ticket should not be zoned to the north in 2027 for the next general election.
“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, General Buhari, a Northerner from Katsina state, just left office after eight years.
“Alhaji Abubakar 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 Alhaji Abubakar is desperate to contest again, I will advise him as a friend, a party man, and a brother to wait till 2031. By then, he will be 85 years old.
“As loyal party members, we must continue to respect the PDP Constitution. Fair is fair. I joined the PDP in 1998, and I have remained in this party since.
“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.
“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 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.”
Abubakar would be 81 years old by the time the next presidential election takes place in 2027 and 85 by 2031. Abubakar has previously run for the presidency six times, and has been a presidential candidate on three occasions – in 2007, 2019, and 2023.
In May, Abubakar said he would “keep contesting” for the Nigerian presidency as long as he is hale and hearty.
