Why I didn’t back Atiku’s presidential bid – Bode George
Bode George, a member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has explained why he didn’t support former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 presidential election. Contrary to claims, George said it wasn’t because Abubakar is from a different region.
In a TVC political show on Sunday, August 25, George, who recently turned down a role on the PDP National Disciplinary Committee, addressed these accusations. He clarified that his lack of support was because Abubakar allegedly caused divisions within the party during the campaign.
George said, “When Buhari was running against Atiku Abubakar, I supported him. I was actively involved because he was seen as a strong candidate at that time. I did a lot in Lagos and supported the party’s efforts.”
He added, “I have no tribal bias. My best friend is a Fulani man I met in the military, and I have many friends across the country. If you can’t speak the truth to power, you’re only deceiving yourself.”
George also noted that supporting another Northern candidate after eight years of Northern leadership didn’t make sense. He said, “The system was manipulated, and the party was divided, which split our votes and led to our loss.”
Looking ahead, George suggested setting up a committee to review the last election and the party’s strategy for future elections. He urged party members to put aside personal ambitions and focus on the party’s success for the 2027 elections.