Bode George, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, has declared that Atiku Abubakar cannot be the party’s presidential candidate in 2027 due to the PDP’s zoning policy, which mandates an eight-year rotation between the North and South.
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Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television, George emphasized that the party’s constitution supports this zoning arrangement, ensuring that a Southern candidate will represent the PDP in the next presidential race. According to George, this policy prevents any northern candidate, including Atiku, from running in 2027.
He highlighted that the agreement stipulates that after eight years of a northern presidency, the next candidate must come from the South.
George’s remarks come amid growing tensions within the opposition, particularly surrounding the formation of a new coalition led by Atiku.
The coalition, aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu in 2027, has faced rejection from the PDP Governors’ Forum, which has distanced itself from any plans for mergers or coalitions.