Says: “It is insensitive to be talking about 2027 now”
Former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has said that the 2027 Presidential race is not yet in his agenda.
He said this in reply to a criticism by the PDP ex-national chairman, Chief Bode George, that the party would field a presidential candidate for the 3027 election according to the party’s constitution.
Atiku told George to turn to advising President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on reassessing policies that have exacerbated poverty and divisions in Nigeria rather than focusing on the 2027 elections now.
George had stated that a Southerner should occupy the presidency from 2027 to 2031, citing the PDP constitution and political realities.
Also he said that by 2027, Abubakar would be 81 years old and should follow the example of President Joe Biden, who has encouraged younger candidates to seek high office.
Reacting to Bode George’s statement through his media adviser Paul Ibe, Atiku stressed that his focus now is not on 2027 but on addressing current issues affecting Nigerians.
His words: “We cannot afford to put the cart before the horse. At this point, Atiku Abubakar’s preoccupation is not 2027. His concern is about 2024.
“It is about 2025 and 2026 and beyond. His concern is about the plight of Nigerians who are literally going through hell because of the failed trial-and-error policies of this administration,” Ibe stated.”
He criticised George for discussing 2027 while Nigeria is grappling with severe economic hardships under the current administration.
“It is insensitive to be talking about 2027 now when the 2023 mandate has not yielded any tangible benefits for Nigerians, who are now far worse off in every facet of life,” Ibe said.
Atiku told George to focus on counseling President Tinubu to reconsider policies that have worsened the economic situation and deepened societal divisions.
He said: “Bode George himself should also turn his attention to counseling Tinubu to reassess some of his ill-advised policies that have deepened poverty and divisions in our country instead of prioritising the politics of 2027.”
