- Safiu Kehinde
The Peoples Democratic Party’ s (PDP) Chieftain and elder statesman, Chief Bode George, has dragged former Nigerian Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, over his visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari.
George slammed Atiku’s plot to form a mega party, stressing that the PDP is not private party he can run based on his own digression and personal ambition.
Atiku had been vocal about the need for a coalition party to compete against the All Progressive Congress (APC) at the 2027 General Election.
He had earlier this month paid a courtesy visit to Buhari alongside former APC chieftain and Kaduna governor, Nasir El-Rufai as well as other political dignitaries.
While speaking in an interview on Arise TV on Tuesday over alleged defamation plan by some PDP Governors, Bode George referred to the Atiku’s visit and his move for mega party despite being a PDP member.
The opposition party’s chieftain questioned the motive behind the visit as recalled how Atiku was heavily defeated by Buahri during the 2019 Presidential election.
“Those who are now forming mega party, what is the purpose of that mega party? You are a member of a solid organization, and you want to pull out.
“You are meeting with Baba Buhari. Is he a member of our party? Have you discussed this your mega something with anybody else? Do you think PDP is a private company? Nobody owns PDP. You bring it within the party and let us discuss it. Once it is approved then you move.
“You don’t just flip-flop because of personal ambition. Look at General Buahri shaking hands with these guys. Is he a member of our party?
“We presented you against him and he flogged you like a little kid. Then you are running there. And if you look at the congregation of those who visited Buahri, they are from one side. Who are the others from our party? No it’s not done that way.
“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?” Bode George said.
While reiterating that no individual owns the party, the PDP chieftain urged the governors planning to defect to shelve the thought.
“No individual in our party owns this party. Let these people sit down. Forget about your personal ambition. Is there any human being born of a woman that will not pass on one day?
“There will be an end. The only thing you will be remembered for is your impact. positive impact to the development of the people.
“It is the will of the people that really matters not your own personal aggrandizement.” he added.