Bode George Warns PDP Faces Collapse If Atiku Secures 2027 Presidential Ticket

George, a Lagos-based elder statesman, emphasized the need for a “fresh face” to unify the PDP and appeal to Nigeria’s youth, who make up over 60% of the electorate. He criticized Atiku’s repeated presidential bids—six since 1993—claiming they stifle new leadership. “We need someone who can inspire, not recycle old ambitions,” he said, suggesting southern candidates like Peter Obi or a northern progressive could reset the party’s trajectory. Atiku, 78, has not officially declared for 2027 but hinted at exercising his constitutional right to contest, drawing mixed reactions within the PDP.

The remarks come amid reports of talks among Atiku, Obi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso to form an opposition alliance, though George dismissed such moves as “premature” without party consensus. PDP’s 2023 defeat, securing 6.9 million votes to APC’s 8.7 million, exposed its vulnerabilities, with analysts noting that internal rifts cost it key states. George urged the PDP to prioritize restructuring and grassroots mobilization by 2026 to avoid irrelevance, warning, “We can’t afford another misstep.” The party has yet to respond officially, as debates over its 2027 strategy intensify.