Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed his dissatisfaction with Bode George, a former deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for asserting that he (Atiku) would have collapsed had he been elected president in 2023.
In a statement released via social media on Saturday, Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, characterized George’s remarks as an ‘unwise’ discourse and underscored the advantages that would have been realized under Atiku’s leadership.
Ibe contended that Atiku’s governance would have fostered prosperity, promoted appointments based on merit, and protected Nigeria’s interests in contrast to the current administration’s prejudice and favouritism.
Furthermore, Ibe lampooned Bode George for his lack of public critique regarding the current administration’s performance, suggesting that his silence may be attributed to Atiku’s non-Southern heritage.
He wrote: “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.
“Such leadership would have safeguarded Nigeria’s interests, steering clear of the bigotry and nepotism and brigandage that characterizes this administration. Instead of the current state of disarray, driven by haphazard policies, Nigeria would have thrived under Atiku’s guidance.
“In contrast, we see Bode George, who once threatened exile should Tinubu ascend to power, now oddly silent about the present administration. Is Bode’s reticence caused by Atiku not being from his region? It is prudent to consider Bode’s opinions with caution.
“Furthermore, Bode’s conduct is a disservice to the military, an institution esteemed for its unity. Here is a Commodore who, paradoxically, embraces tribalism and undermines the very principles of the military. It is a source of shame for the armed forces to have such a figure in their ranks.”
I Knew Atiku Would Collapse In The Future
Speaking on Arise TV’s “The Morning Show” earlier, George stated that Atiku would have collapsed in the future, and the country become unstable if a northerner (Atiku), had succeeded Muhammadu Buhari, another northerner.
He stressed that Nigerians would not have accepted this scenario, citing the party’s zoning arrangement as the root of the problem.
“If Atiku had won — I would have stayed in my house because I knew that for real in the future, he would collapse. This country would never accept.
“If he had won that election, you think this country would have been stable? Because somebody from the north (Buhari) had just finished eight years and our own norm is that after the eight years, the presidential candidate must come to the south,” George had said.
The PDP chieftain alleged that the party’s zoning arrangement was manipulated to favour Atiku, leading to the current issues.