Former Vice-President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has strongly criticized a statement made by PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) member, Bode George, who suggested that Nigerian would not have been stable if Atiku had won the 2023 Presidential elections.
Bode George, while speaking on Arise Television, expressed concerns over the implications of an Atiku presidency, stating, “If Atiku had won, I would have stayed in my house because I know in the future he would collapse. This country would never accept. If he (Atiku) had won that election you think this country would have been stable? Because somebody from the north had just finished eight years and our own norm is that after the eight years, the presidential candidate must come to the south.” read here
In a swift rebuttal, Atiku, through his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, dismissed George’s remarks as “imprudent,” arguing that an Atiku presidency would have been a period of national prosperity and stability. Atiku’s response read:
“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.”
Atiku also questioned Bode George’s silence regarding the current administration, noting, “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 because Atiku is not from his region? It is prudent to consider Bode’s opinions with caution.”
Furthermore, Atiku criticized George’s conduct, labelling it as a “disservice to the military,” a sector George previously served with distinction. Atiku stated:
“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.”
