Bode George: Atiku too old to run, south must produce PDP candidate in 2027

The former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olabode George, has faulted the purported plan by the PDP presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, to recontest in 2027.

Atiku, a former Vice President who would be 81 years old in November 2027, was the PDP presidential candidate in the 2019 and 2023 elections.

Speaking with newsmen in Lagos on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, George stressed that the leadership of the PDP should allow the South to produce the party’s presidential candidate in 2027.

He noted that the North had enjoyed eight uninterrupted years with the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

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George said: “PDP must produce 2027 presidential candidate from the South.

“Atiku should act like an elder in the room. He should by now learn to play the role of kingmaker and big brother to mentor the government in power and be consistent with the strong belief of the PDP.”

The PDP chieftain added that he was emphasising the zoning arrangement so that the party would not make the mistake it made in 2023 which, he said, led to its defeat.

He further condemned the possibility of the PDP forming a mega party with other political parties ahead of the 2027 election, saying the party should remain on its own to contest for various positions.

George added: “No other party is as entrenched and national in all concepts than the PDP.

“In 2027, I can’t tell anybody not to contest but our party must be definitive that the Presidency must remain in the South since the North has finished its eight years.”

The Star