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Atiku’s 2027 Candidacy Could Spell the End of PDP, Bode George Warns

Chief Bode George, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, has issued a strong warning against the potential candidacy of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 presidential election.

A Dire Warning for the PDP

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, George stated unequivocally: “If he (Atiku) picks it (PDP’s ticket), that is the end of this party. If he picks it by manipulation, which was what was done the last time, we will not accept it.”

Atiku’s Political Track Record

Atiku, who was the PDP’s presidential candidate in 2023, has contested for Nigeria’s highest office six times across different political parties. Despite losing to President Bola Tinubu in the last election, he remains politically active, recently spearheading a coalition of opposition parties to challenge the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

This coalition, announced on March 20, 2025, includes key political figures such as:

Peter Obi (former Anambra State Governor)
Nasir El-Rufai (former Kaduna State Governor)

The Opposition’s Electoral Strength

The alliance is banking on the combined votes of Atiku and Obi, who together secured over 12 million votes in 2023—surpassing Tinubu’s winning margin by more than four million votes.

George’s Critique of Atiku’s Leadership

George, however, remains skeptical of Atiku’s political maneuvers. He commended PDP governors for distancing themselves from the coalition, stating:

“I applaud our governors for putting on their thinking caps. They saw through the self-serving nature of this so-called coalition. Atiku has not acted like a leader. A true party leader would have stepped in to resolve the internal crisis we’re facing.”

Zoning Controversy

George also emphasized that Atiku’s ambition contradicts the PDP’s zoning principle. Citing the party’s constitution, he argued:

“Section 7, Subsection 3C clearly states that after eight years in the North, power should return to the South. We’ve had eight years under President Buhari from the North. It’s time for the South.”

The Need for a Southern Candidate

While acknowledging Atiku’s right to contest, George insisted that the PDP must field a southern candidate to remain viable in 2027:

“I don’t want Tinubu to return, but I also don’t want this party to go down because of one man’s ambition. We must present a credible southern candidate who can truly unify and revive the PDP.”