Bode George slams Atiku over Buhari visit, coalition agenda

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart, Bode George, has expressed strong disapproval of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s recent visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari, aimed at garnering support for his coalition campaign.

George accused Atiku of bypassing PDP members to discuss his coalition plans with Buhari, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).  

However, Bode George has dismissed Atiku’s coalition agenda, suggesting it is a strategy to weaken the PDP, the country’s primary opposition party.

Speaking on Arise Television’s “The Morning Show” on Tuesday, George questioned the purpose of Atiku’s proposed mega party, asserting that the former Vice President’s coalition efforts are driven by personal ambition.

“Those who are now forming mega party, what is the purpose of that mega party. You’re a member of a solid organization, you want to pull out. You are meeting with Baba Buhari, Is he a member of our party? Have you discussed your mega something with anybody else? Do you think is a private fiefdom? Is PDP a private company? Nobody owns PDP. You bring it within the party. Let us discuss it. Once it is approved, then you move. You don’t just flip flop because of your personal ambition,” he stated.

George also condemned Atiku’s visit to Buhari, recalling that Buhari defeated Atiku “like a little kid” in the 2019 presidential election. He further questioned Atiku’s motives for visiting Buhari with fellow northerners.

“Look at general Buhari shaking hands with these guys. Is he a member of our party? We presented you against him, and he flopped you like like a little kid, and then you are running there.

ALSO READ : Stable world order may emerge if…— Chinese economist Yifu Lin

And if you look at the congregation of those who visited Buhari, they are all from one side, who are the others from our party?

No, it’s not done that way. In fact, my conclusion was, What is this man trying to do with this mega party? Is he trying to divide Nigeria from the north and then the south?,” George questioned.

He alleged that Atiku’s actions are a ploy to secure another presidential ticket, disregarding the unwritten zoning arrangement between the northern and southern regions of the country.

“Atiku got the ticket in 2019, and in 2023, he got the ticket again. Now, he’s trying to get the ticket again. Is it a private fiefdom? Who was the former president? Was it not General Buhari? Where did he come from? Did he come from Yoruba land or Igbo land? All we are saying is that we have a system of eight years of presidency in the north and eight years of presidency in the south.”

Instead of pursuing a mega party “for Atiku’s personal ambition,” George urged PDP members to “come home and work together” to strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 elections.