Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, recently sparked a heated debate about political ambition and power rotation in Nigeria. In a statement issued on Monday, George advised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to reconsider his ambition to run for president in 2027. George was clear: If Atiku is desperate to seek the presidency again, he should wait until 2031. According to George, power must remain in the South until then, and only after a southern president has served a full term can the North reclaim the presidency.
George’s statement touched on a sensitive issue in Nigeria’s political landscape—zoning, the informal agreement that power should rotate between the North and the South to ensure balanced representation. He argued that after eight years of northern rule under former President Muhammadu Buhari, it is only fair that the South holds power until 2031. This stance challenges the ambitions of northern politicians like Atiku, who may be eyeing the 2027 election.
The statement did not sit well with Atiku’s camp. Paul Ibe, Atiku’s media adviser, swiftly responded, labeling George’s comments as premature and insensitive. Ibe suggested that George was jumping the gun by focusing on 2027 when Atiku’s current concerns are more immediate. According to Ibe, Atiku’s priority is not the 2027 election but the current struggles faced by Nigerians under the present administration. Ibe emphasized that Atiku’s ambition is not solely about personal power but about addressing the pressing issues affecting the nation today, in 2024, and in the coming years.
The debate around Atiku’s ambition and the future of Nigeria’s presidency highlights deeper tensions within the PDP. George reiterated that the party must adhere to the principle of fairness, which means ensuring that the South gets its full turn at the presidency. He warned that ignoring this could lead to disunity within the party and the country at large. George stressed that the PDP’s Constitution and the country’s political realities demand that power remain in the South until 2031. He insisted that this approach is the right and logical step given the current political circumstances.
George’s statement also questioned the appropriateness of Atiku’s ambition at his age. He drew a parallel to U.S. President Joe Biden, who has faced similar questions about his age and suitability for office. George suggested that, like Biden, Atiku should consider stepping aside to allow younger politicians to take the lead. George pointed out that by 2027, Atiku would be 81 years old, and it might be time for him to embrace the role of a statesman, stepping back to support a younger generation of leaders.
The ambition to hold public office, especially the presidency, is not just about personal desire but also about the broader implications for national unity and party cohesion. George underscored this by reflecting on his own situation. By 2027, George himself will be in his 80s, and he questioned what someone of his age should be seeking in public office. He urged Atiku to consider this perspective and think about the long-term future of the party and the country.
George’s call for fairness and respect for the PDP’s zoning principle is rooted in his long history with the party. He reminded the public that he has been a loyal member of the PDP since 1998, unlike others who have switched allegiances over the years. George’s commitment to the party’s ideals and principles informs his stance on the 2027 election and the need to maintain the zoning arrangement. He warned that abandoning this principle could lead to the destruction of the party and harm to the nation’s political stability.
As 2027 approaches, the question of ambition—both personal and collective—will continue to shape Nigeria’s political discourse. George’s insistence on a southern presidency until 2031 reflects his belief that only by adhering to established principles can the PDP hope to unify the country and challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) effectively. He criticized the APC as a party of “strange bedfellows” that is leading Nigeria down a dangerous path, both economically and politically. For George, rescuing the country in 2027 requires a southern candidate who can lead the battle for change.
The clash between Bode George and Atiku Abubakar over political ambition and the timing of power rotation highlights the complex dynamics within the PDP and the broader Nigerian political scene. George’s call for Atiku to wait until 2031 is not just about one man’s ambition but about the future direction of the party and the nation. As Nigeria moves closer to the next election cycle, these debates will likely intensify, with the ambition to lead the country hanging in the balance.