Elder statesman Bode George opens up on the reasons behind his decision not to support Atiku Abubakar’s presidential bid, shedding light on key factors that influenced his stance.
Despite being a distinguished member of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George has vehemently refuted claims that his failure to back former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 presidential race was influenced by regional prejudices.
Some members of Atiku’s team alleged that George based his decision on the fact that Abubakar is not from his region.
George confronted the matter directly while appearing on a political program aired by TVC on Sunday evening, following his decision to reject his selection as a member of PDP’s National Disciplinary Committee.
According to George, he hesitated to support Atiku because of the alleged actions by the former vice president that led to party division during the election campaign.
George emphasized his dedication to the party by revealing that he supported Buhari when he ran against Atiku Abubakar and was seen as the favorite candidate at the time. He recalled putting in significant efforts towards supporting him, even backing his first wife, all within accordance with their constitution.
READ ALSO: Bode George: Tinubu Needs an Additional Year to Solve Nigeria’s Problems
He firmly denied the idea that his choices were influenced by tribalism and declared, “Tribalism does not run in my veins. My close companion is a distinguished Fulani individual whom I encountered while serving in the military; he’s akin to me at all levels. I have numerous acquaintances who share our bond from all over this nation.”
George expounded on his worries concerning the impartiality of the party’s leadership selections. He emphasized that electing another Northern candidate for eight more years after a president from the same region had already served two terms was unjustifiable. “We cautioned them against manipulating things, but they ignored our warnings,” he stated while blaming Atiku for causing division within their party and thus losing votes in the process. George then asked how they could progress forward from this problem.
George emphasized the significance of solidarity within their party and urged members to prioritize PDP’s survival and triumph in the 2027 elections over individual aspirations.
In addition, he emphasized the importance of establishing a committee within the party to evaluate both the recent general election and its aftermath, in order to enhance future readiness.
George’s objective is to achieve transparency by openly discussing these matters and redirect the party towards its goal of improving unity as they progress.
