Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olabode George, has urged party leaders not to consider former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as their presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
He said that allowing Atiku to run again would weaken the party’s chances in the poll.
George accused Atiku and his allies of neglecting the South during the 2023 election process, which led to dissatisfaction among southern members of the party.
He recalled how the treatment of the region caused a rift within the PDP, leading some members, including a group of governors, to withdraw their support.
He warned that choosing another northern candidate in 2027 would be unfair to the South and could cause many southern politicians to lose interest in campaigning for the party.
He insisted that power should return to the South after President Bola Tinubu’s tenure before the North considers another run.
Speaking on Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, George stated that Obi would struggle to achieve his ambition with the Labour Party due to its weak structure.
He argued that only the PDP has the necessary support base to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next election.
While he acknowledged that Tinubu’s re-election would not be an easy task, he maintained that the PDP could only succeed if it prioritizes fairness and unity.
George also addressed Nyesom Wike and others who had opposed the PDP in the last election, urging them to put the nation’s interest first.
He called on Nigerians who are dissatisfied with the country’s current economic state to support the opposition.
Expressing concern over the federal government’s involvement in political affairs in states like Lagos, Rivers, and Osun, he warned that such interference could lead to instability.
He further stressed the need for Nigeria to restructure its governance system to operate under true federalism.
