Former deputy national chairman (south) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George has told former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to think of retiring from active politics.
George, through a statement released on Wednesday, said Abubakar should wait till 2031 if he is still ardent on becoming the president of Nigeria.
He added that PDP’s presidential ticket should not be zoned to the north in 2027, when the next general election will come up.
“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.”
Back in May, Abubakar, who was PDP presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, stated that he would “keep contesting” for the Nigerian presidency provided he is hale and hearty.
The former vice-president will be 81 by the time the next presidential election will hold in 2027. In 2031, he will be 85.
He has contested for the number one office six times but has been on the ballot as a presidential candidate on three occasions—2007, 2019, and 2023.