Segun James
A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has warned former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar not to attempt a presidential bid in 2027, warning that the clandestine moves being made on his behalf has been exposed.
He insisted that the party could not afford to field another northern candidate for the 2027 presidential election, saying such a move would take the party to the garbage heap of history.
George, who gave the warning at his Ikoyi office during a press conference, also asked “the real elders in PDP” to stand up and say the truth.
The PDP chieftain recalled that in the build-up to the February 25 and March 18, 2023, general election, some forces in the party ignored warnings which eventually led to the party’s woeful loss.
“As a life member of the Board of Trustees (BoT), the Upper Chamber and the conscience of our party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), I am raising the alarm today that our party is at the precipice of a looming crisis, if pending critical party issues are not urgently addressed.
“I want to sound a note of warning to some gladiators in our great party, the PDP. If care is not taken, the party may become a ‘Garbage heap of history’ in 2027.
“Dustbin of history is a phrase or coinage used to describe an entity, group, organisation or individual that once flourished. At the apex of the existence of such an entity, it was the alpha and omega, the controller of its surrounding.
“But, it came crashing down due to a lot of factors, some of which are avoidable. Such a huge downfall can also be described as ‘Ash heap of history’, ‘Garbage heap of history’ and ‘Landfill of history’. By then, our party will be referred to in the past tense.
“God forbid this should happen to PDP. So, this is the time for all members of PDP to be concerned about the future of our great party.
“Obviously, party unity and inclusiveness of all members are ingredients to a viable strategy for our future electoral victories. Some might say 2027 is still far away but realistically, it is not. In a few weeks, we will be entering 2024 and by 2026, politicking will start for the 2027 elections.
“We should not also forget that we have off-cycle elections in Ondo and Edo States. So, while I reiterate my solidarity to the tenets of our party constitution, I cannot remain passive when the collective unity of this party is fragmented. How we collectively address the issues at stake will be a major determinant of the fate of this party in months and years to come.
“It is our determination to ensure that the PDP returns to the Presidential Villa in Abuja on May 29, 2027. But, we can only go back to Aso Rock if we are united, not divided. So, I don’t really understand the rhetorics in some quarters these days that a member of the party from the North is strategising or plotting to return as the presidential candidate of our party in 2027.
“As one of the leaders of the party, George explained that he had a huge responsibility to raise the alarm so that the PDP did not go into the dustbin of history in 2027,” adding that his warning should not be seen as anti-party posturing, but that as one of the founding fathers of PDP, the truth must be told.
