Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, has responded to a comment by a chieftain of the party, Chief Bode George that he should forget about running for the presidency in 2027 but rather wait for 2031.
In statement on Wednesday, George had said: “A southerner must occupy the office of the President and Commander in Chief from 2023 to 2031 because that is the reality of our country, PDP constitution, and our polity.
“Even in 2027, Atiku will be 81 years and this is the time for him to embrace President Joe Biden’s concept of allowing the younger generation to run for the highest office in the land.
“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.
“So, what am I looking for in public office as an octogenarian? The same principle should apply to Alhaji Abubakar.”
The former Ondo State sole administrator further advised Atiku to emulate American President Joe Biden who recently stepped aside for a younger candidate in the Democratic Party ahead of the November 2024 presidential elections.
“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, PDP will field a southerner as a presidential candidate.”
But in a swift response to the comments, Atiku said his only concerns at the moment is the plight of Nigerians who have been exposed to unprecedented hunger and deprivation amidst plenty and not permutations for 2027.
Atiku’s who made the response in statement by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe on Wednesday night, advised George to “turn his attention to counselling Tinubu to reassess some of his ill-advised policies that have deepened poverty and divisions in our country instead of prioritising the politics of 2027.”
“We cannot afford to put the cart before the horse. At this point, Atiku Abubakar’s preoccupation is not 2027. His concern is about 2024.
“It is about 2025 and 2026 and beyond. His concern is about the plight of Nigerians who are literarily going through hell because of the failed trial-and-error policies of this administration.
“The average citizen, and indeed all Nigerians, need to survive the tsunami that has become the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
“It is insensitive to be talking about 2027 now when the 2023 mandate has not yielded any tangible benefits for Nigerians, who are now far worse off in every facet of life,” the statement said.
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