Bode George Warns; Atiku’s 2027 Ticket Could End PDP

Chief Bode George, a member of the Board of Trustees of the PDP, has issued a stark warning to the party, claiming that it would be the end of the PDP if former Vice President Atiku Abubakar secures the party’s presidential ticket for the 2027 election.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, George expressed concerns over Atiku’s potential manipulation of the ticket process, referencing the previous attempt where he allegedly used influence to secure the 2023 presidential bid. “If he picks it, that is the end of this party. If he picks it by manipulation, which was done the last time, we will not accept it,” George stated.

Atiku, who was the PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, came second in the election behind Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The former Vice President has been attempting to secure Nigeria’s top office for over three decades, contesting six times with various political parties.

Recently, Atiku has been advocating for an inter-party coalition, which was formed in March 2025, alongside figures like former Anambra Governor Peter Obi and former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai. The alliance aims to challenge President Tinubu’s administration, which has faced criticism over the country’s economic challenges, including record-high inflation and rising living costs.

The coalition is banking on the strong voter base from the 2023 election, where Atiku and Obi combined for over 12 million votes—significantly more than Tinubu’s vote count. However, this push received a blow when PDP governors rejected the coalition on April 14, 2025, ruling out any plans for mergers or alliances.

George, while commenting on this development, praised the PDP governors for their decision, calling it a demonstration of independent thinking. He also criticized Atiku for not showing the leadership necessary to resolve internal party conflicts, which have plagued the PDP in recent times.