Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has advised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to retire from contesting for the presidency. Speaking at a press conference held in his Ikoyi, Lagos office on Thursday, George urged Atiku to embrace the role of an elder statesman and desist from participating in the 2027 presidential election.
“Atiku will be 81 years old in 2027, and he has been in the race since 1993,” George said. “It’s time for him to calm down and act like an elder. I appeal to him in the name of the Almighty Allah to leave the matter for posterity and stop this continuous pursuit.”
George lamented the internal crisis within the PDP, blaming it on self-centered ambitions that undermine national interest. He criticized members of the party who clandestinely align with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) but lack the courage to defect, describing their actions as cowardly and detrimental to the party’s unity.
He also addressed the ongoing rift between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. George urged Wike to step back and allow for reconciliation, expressing disappointment in party members who are fueling the crisis instead of mediating. “Wike is my political son, and I appeal to him to cool off immediately,” George stated. “No one is bigger than the party, and the elders must step in to ensure peace.”
Calling on the PDP leadership to resolve the Rivers State crisis and address other divisions threatening the party, George warned against perpetuating godfatherism and neglecting national interests. “The PDP cannot continue like this,” he said. “We must learn from our past mistakes and move forward as a united front. Troublemakers within the party need to step aside if they are unwilling to support its progress.”