Former vice president Atiku Abubakar has been told to wait till 2031 if he wants to have another shot at the Aso Rock presidential seat.
Former deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, who made the statement ruled out Atiku Abubakar among the prospective candidates of the party in the 2027 election.
George insisted that the 2027 race is only for Southern politicians to contest.
In a statement on Wednesday, George, a retired naval officer and ex-governor also advised Atiku who will turn 81 in 2027 to consider retirement.
“I have nothing personal against Atiku. He is my friend but the truth must be told. By 2027, by God’s grace, I will also be in my 80s. So, what am I looking for in public office as an octogenarian? The same principle should apply to him.
“We all saw what Joe Biden did when he stepped down for Kamala Harris to contest the November presidential election. That is the hallmark of a statesman. Atiku should do the same so that in 2027, the PDP will field a Southerner as a presidential candidate.
“Aside from that, Buhari, a northerner from Katsina state just left office after eight years. Atiku is also a northerner from Adamawa State. So, power cannot go to the north in 2027. That is the reality of our country and our party’s constitution.
“Section 7, Sub-section 3 (C) says zoning and rotation must be maintained for justice, fairness and equity. In our party, this is the right and logical thing to do in the present political circumstances.
“But if he is desperate to contest again, I will advise him as a friend, a party man and brother to wait till 2031. By then, he will be 85 years old.
“As loyal party members, we must continue to respect the PDP constitution. Fair is fair. We should not do anything that will destroy our party and the country. In 2027, the concept of ‘Turn-by-Turn Nigeria Limited’ must be strictly followed by our party. PDP must look for a southerner to wrest power from the APC because that party of strange bedfellows wants to destroy this country, economically and politically.
“So, Nigerians are waiting for us to rescue them in 2027 but a Southerner must lead the battle.
“I read a report by one of his media aides accusing me of tribalism. I just laughed. My best friend today is a Fulani man, Admiral Murtala Nyako. I was the Director-General of the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Presidential Campaign Organisation for the 2007 elections. The late President trusted me. So, I cannot be accused of being tribalistic.
“I can boldly say that I am a detribalised Nigerian and a committed member of the PDP. I don’t harbour any disdain or hate for Atiku or any other PDP member. I expect every member of the party to embrace and respect the entrenched principles of zoning and rotation, bestowed on the party by our founding fathers since inception in 1998, no matter whose ox is gored.
“The principles explicitly stipulate that, at the end of every eight years, all elective and party offices should change from the Northern divide to the Southern divide and vice versa”.