According to Vanguard, Bode George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has raised concerns over the party’s direction, particularly criticizing ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar for what he described as a relentless pursuit of power.
Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, George accused Atiku of jeopardizing the unity and integrity of the PDP due to his personal political ambitions.
“Some of our members are already working for him (Atiku) because of 2027. Is he the only one in PDP? Why are we not looking in the direction of the Southern part of the country for a younger candidate?” George questioned.
George pointed to Atiku’s history of switching party allegiances, including his past defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), and hinted that such moves might occur again if Atiku’s ambitions take precedence over loyalty to the PDP.
The former PDP deputy chairman expressed frustration with Atiku’s dismissal of advice he gave before the 2023 elections. He claimed to have had in-depth discussions with Atiku about prioritizing the party’s overall interests, but noted that Atiku chose to disregard this counsel. According to George, this decision highlighted a leadership style that favors individual aspirations over collective progress, further deepening his concerns about Atiku’s role in the PDP.
Looking ahead to the 2027 presidential election, George criticized PDP members rallying behind Atiku’s potential candidacy. He argued that the party should look towards a younger generation of leaders, particularly from Southern Nigeria, to reshape its future. George questioned why the PDP has not taken the opportunity to promote candidates who better reflect Nigeria’s diversity and the aspirations of its younger population.