Chief Olabode George, former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, warned that a victory for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 presidential election would have led to political instability. George criticized Atiku's candidacy for exacerbating PDP's internal divisions and doubted the party's future due to ongoing strife.
Chief Olabode George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has voiced his belief that if Alhaji Atiku Abubakar had won the 2023 presidential election, Nigeria would have faced significant challenges. During an interview on Arise Television, George emphasized that Atiku's presidency would have led to political instability due to his northern background, especially after eight years of northern leadership under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
George criticized Atiku's nomination as the PDP's candidate, suggesting it exacerbated existing divisions within the party. He pointed out that both Atiku and the party's chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, hailed from the north, which many Nigerians opposed, calling for a power shift to the south. This situation, according to George, undermined the party's unity and alienated its base.
He elaborated that manipulation of the electoral process to favor Atiku created discord, stating, "When we had that election, we divided the party into two." George believes that a victory for Atiku would have driven him to isolation, as he predicted a lack of acceptance from the public.
Furthermore, George expressed skepticism about the PDP's future, noting ongoing internal strife with multiple factions vying for control. He declined a position on the party's Disciplinary Committee, questioning its effectiveness and leadership, asserting that past party traditions should guide its direction. George concluded that without addressing these issues, the party risks further disarray.
