Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to step back from his prolonged pursuit of the Nigerian presidency, a journey that began in 1993.
Speaking at a press conference held in his Ikoyi, Lagos office, George noted that Atiku, who will turn 81 in 2027, should embrace the role of a statesman and allow younger generations to take on the mantle of leadership.
“To Atiku, my advice is this: You have been contesting for the presidency since 1993. It is time to calm down, act like an elder, and leave everything for posterity,” George said, appealing to Atiku in the name of Allah to shift his focus from personal ambition to national unity.
George also expressed dismay at the state of the PDP, criticizing some members for prioritizing personal interests above the collective good. He accused certain individuals of covertly collaborating with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) while maintaining their PDP membership, describing such actions as cowardly and divisive.
“We should bury our individual ambitions now and not let the PDP crumble. Nigerians are angry and hungry. Instead of exposing the APC’s failures, some party members are fueling internal crises for selfish gains,” George lamented.
Turning his attention to the escalating conflict between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, George called for reconciliation.
“My advice to Wike is simple: You are my political son. Please take it easy and work towards unity. The concept of godfatherism is a misnomer in politics, and no leader should undermine their successor,” he said.
George urged party elders to intervene and mediate in the crisis, warning that continued discord could further destabilize the PDP.
In other developments, the National Assembly has amended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act, prescribing life imprisonment for drug traffickers as part of efforts to curb illegal drug activities. The Senate and House of Representatives also passed the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) Bill of 2024, which seeks to reform the commission’s operations to better address Nigeria’s economic challenges.
Both legislative measures now await President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s assent to become law.