Atiku’s exit from PDP an act of existential imbecility- Bode George

A Peoples Democratic Party Board of Trustees member, Chief Bode George, has slammed the exit of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and others from the party, calling it an act of existential imbecility. Speaking on Channels TV’s ‘Politics Today’, he accused the defectors of causing the party’s crisis. He urged them to reconsider, insisting the PDP must uphold its constitution, especially on power rotation. David Lawani reports

Will the exit of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and others have any impact on the PDP?

Let me tell you something. I’ve said it before in one of our previous interviews—this party is like an iroko tree. When you enter a forest and see an iroko tree standing tall in the middle, no matter the storm, it remains firm. Yes, some lighter trees might get uprooted and tossed aside, and the iroko might lose a few branches, but at the end of the storm, it stands solid and sturdy. Now you say people are leaving in droves. Who exactly are they? I’ve been part of this party since its inception. I’ve served as chairman of the national convention and as director-general of the presidential campaign. I’ve traversed the length and breadth of this country. There’s hardly any village where you won’t hear of the PDP. This party isn’t about one person. It’s not anyone’s private fiefdom. As the Governor of Oyo State rightly said, ‘If you want to leave, go. If you’d like to come in, please feel free to do so. But obey the rules. We have a constitution, as well as norms and processes. If you can’t abide by the rules of the party, then kindly step aside. Atiku has been in and out of the PDP multiple times. And so what? He should have remained as one of the party’s founders. If your house is leaking, you don’t abandon it—you stay and fix it. A rolling stone gathers no moss. What exactly is he chasing? I’ve advised him many times—public perception of the party is far more important than personal interests. Nigerians must view the PDP as a party capable of addressing the economic, agricultural, and infrastructural challenges facing the country. These are challenging times, and we need individuals with profound knowledge and genuine commitment to serve, not themselves, but the people.

Have you spoken to him about his defection? Does he stand a real chance in the ADC?

I have talked to him. I’m still advising him. What exactly is he pursuing? Because of the rules at our party? Our constitution is clear: once a presidential candidate emerges from the North, they serve an eight-year term. After that, it comes down to the South. I didn’t write that. The founding fathers designed it to solve Nigeria’s perennial tribal and religious divisions. They envisioned a country, not a kingdom. If you prioritise your private ambitions over national interest, then good luck. And if he believes people are leaving in droves, let him sit down, study the terrain like a general, and ask: what is attracting them to jump ship? Even when he joined the APC, what was he looking for? What did he achieve?

Photos of a recent ADC meeting show what appears to be half of the PDP now with Atiku. What’s your take, especially with figures like Senator Ben Obi, El-Rufai, and Tambuwal now in ADC?

I don’t want to delve too deeply, but let me be clear: most of the people around Atiku today are the same individuals who created the crisis in the PDP. On the day of that controversial convention, David Mark was chairman, Ayu was present—they were all in those meetings. They manipulated the process. Atiku went to Ayu’s house; these are his friends. Now, they’ve regrouped and are holding secret meetings. I was told they called a gathering of elders—many women showed up, unaware it was an ADC strategy session. That’s the report we received. But let the will of the people prevail. Nigerians will decide who to vote for. You can’t keep rolling around like a rolling stone and expect to be taken seriously. I’m still appealing to Atiku and others: remember, the eight years of President Buhari from the North must be balanced with eight years of a Southern president. That was the foundation of the PDP—sealed and agreed. If you read Section 7, Subsection 3(c) of our constitution, it’s very clear. If a southerner had done what Atiku is doing now, there would be mayhem. When Baba Obasanjo was leaving office in 2007, Atiku could have seamlessly become the presidential candidate, but he didn’t. Ask him why. He defected again and played politics elsewhere. At one point, he admitted to helping rig elections to keep Tinubu in power in Lagos. Now Tinubu is in the Villa. How ironic. We must fear God. Life is short. Buhari’s death reminds us: God first, your neighbour second, yourself last. That’s the discipline of life.

What do you make of the claim that Atiku resigned from the PDP to run on another opposition platform?

As an engineer, I can tell you: if you build on a false foundation, your house will collapse at the first sign of a storm. According to our party’s constitution, no northerner can contest for the presidency again under the PDP until 2031. Last time, they manipulated the system to get him the ticket. What happened? He was vice president to Obasanjo and had every opportunity to become President. He didn’t. Now he’s attempting to rewrite history and bend party principles to suit personal ambition. The PDP constitution is clear—zoning and rotation are sacrosanct. After eight years of northern presidency, it is time for it to shift to the South. This system was created so that minorities and majorities alike can aspire to lead. That’s how we protect national unity. It’s similar to what Switzerland practices with its three dominant tribes—they rotate leadership, and as a result, they have peace.

Atiku and Dele Momodu have left your party. What should the PDP do now? Do you agree that opposition failure is a threat to democracy?

Yes, I agree. When the opposition is weak, democracy suffers. But let’s be clear—the people causing this crisis are now outside the PDP. They created the chaos and now seek a new platform for their selfish ambitions. We have our NEC meeting this week. We’ll review the party’s program and approve committees for our upcoming convention. That alone shows the PDP is alive and strong. The iroko tree still stands. I won’t say “good riddance to bad rubbish,” but I’m appealing to them—return before it’s too late. What they want is a platform to contest for the presidency. However, in our party, we adhere to due process. If it’s not zoned for your region, you’ll have to wait. This is not about “me, me, me.” That selfishness must end. Even when Obasanjo was President, he didn’t try to impose another southerner as successor. He respected the process. If you reject the system because it doesn’t serve your interests, you’re being immature. Let them slow down. Let them reflect. The ADC has no roots. They’re jumping onto a ship that hasn’t even left the harbour. After our NEC meeting, you’ll see what the PDP stands for. Our ability to manage this crisis will prove our strength to Nigerians.