Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has reacted to the recent exit of some party chieftains, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Senate President David Mark, insisting they are free to leave but maintained that the presidency will not return to the North until 2031.
Speaking with journalists, George described the decision of the defectors as a reflection of their impatience, adding that their departure would not alter the PDP’s zoning structure or the rotation of power.
“They are free to leave and form any party of their choice, but the presidency is not going back to the North until 2031,” George declared.
He criticised the former Vice President’s conduct, describing it as uncivilised. He recalled that the late Dr. Alex Ekwueme, one of the founding fathers of the PDP, contested the presidency twice, lost, yet remained loyal to the party without violating its constitution.
According to him, the current crisis within the party stems from individuals who had long planned to abandon the PDP, pointing to the events that unfolded during the last convention held in Abuja.
“The final decision will be made by the electorate. A rolling stone gathers no moss. Those who created this madness did so on the convention floor, now they are asking us to ‘roll out.’ That is not civilized behavior,” he said.
George insisted that the principle of fairness and equity, which guided the PDP’s foundation, would not be compromised to satisfy individual ambitions.
“Ekwueme founded this party and established laudable structures. He contested and lost twice but never broke the rules. If your house is leaking and you’re the landlord, you stay and fix it. Life comes with trials and tribulations; we must endure,” he added.
On calls to rotate the presidency back to the North in 2027, George firmly rejected the idea, saying, “Now they want to split everything and say it’s the North’s turn for four years. No sir. That is not what was established by the PDP, and we will not change it.”
“If they want to leave, they are free to form another party. The Nigerian electorate will decide,” he stressed.
He further assured that the presidency would only return to the North in 2031, adding that he would personally lead the campaign when the time comes.
“I will lead that campaign. We are not presenting another Bola Tinubu in our party. The PDP will field a dependable, responsible, and loyal personality to manage Nigeria’s resources for the benefit of the people,” he declared.
