Bode George Urges Atiku Abubakar to Step Down from 2027 Presidential Race, Calls for PDP Unity

Bode George, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT), has urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to abandon any intentions of running for the presidency in 2027. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday in celebration of his 79th birthday, George appealed to Atiku to step aside and allow younger politicians to take the mantle.

Addressing Atiku directly, George said:
“You will be 81 years old in 2027, and you have been contesting for the presidency since 1993. It’s time to step back and act as an elder. I appeal to you, in the name of the almighty Allah that you serve, to leave the race for prosperity.”

The former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP also expressed concerns about the current state of the opposition party. He attributed its challenges to the selfish ambitions of some members and called for immediate measures to restore unity ahead of the party’s upcoming National Convention.

George criticized certain members within the PDP for undermining the party’s efforts, accusing them of covertly working for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in preparation for the 2027 elections. He described the situation as “disheartening,” adding that the PDP’s founding fathers would be “weeping in their graves” over what he termed as the party’s decline into a shadow of its former self.

Calling for unity, George emphasized the need for collective efforts to rescue the PDP from further decline and ensure it remains a strong opposition force.