Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed strong discontent with remarks made by Bode George, a former deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Recall that George had suggested that Nigerians Would Have Opposed Atiku’s Presidency if he had been elected in 2023.
In a statement released on Saturday via social media, Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, criticized George’s comments, describing them as “unwise” and unconstructive. Ibe emphasized that Nigeria would have experienced significant progress under Atiku’s leadership, contrasting it with what he characterized as the current administration’s shortcomings.
“Contrary to Chief Bode George’s imprudent talk, an Atiku presidency would have heralded an era of prosperity, driven by a cabinet brimming with seasoned and adept individuals, chosen solely on merit regardless of their background or beliefs,” Ibe wrote.
He continued, asserting that under Atiku’s leadership, appointments would have been based on merit, and Nigeria’s interests would have been safeguarded, steering clear of the “bigotry and nepotism” seen under the present administration. Ibe argued that Nigeria would be in a far better state had Atiku been at the helm.
Ibe also took the opportunity to criticize George for what he perceived as a lack of public scrutiny of the current government, hinting that George’s silence might be due to Atiku not being from the southern region of Nigeria.
“Bode George, who once threatened exile should Tinubu ascend to power, is now oddly silent about the present administration. Is Bode’s reticence caused by Atiku not being from his region?” Ibe questioned.
He further condemned George’s conduct as a disservice to the military, an institution that prides itself on unity and professionalism. “It is a source of shame for the armed forces to have such a figure in their ranks, a Commodore who paradoxically embraces tribalism and undermines the very principles of the military,” Ibe added.
Earlier, during an appearance on Arise TV’s “The Morning Show,” Bode George had stated that Atiku’s victory in the 2023 presidential election would have led to instability in the country. He argued that having another northerner succeed President Muhammadu Buhari would have been unacceptable to many Nigerians, citing the PDP’s zoning arrangement as a significant issue.
“If Atiku had won, I would have stayed in my house because I knew that in the future, he would collapse. This country would never accept it,” George said, emphasizing the importance of the presidency rotating to the southern region after Buhari’s tenure.
George also alleged that the PDP’s zoning arrangement had been manipulated to favor Atiku, leading to the party’s current challenges.
