A major figure in Nigeria’s opposition party has issued a stern warning about the future of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring that the party will not survive if former Vice President Atiku Abubakar becomes its presidential nominee for the 2027 election.

Chief Bode George, a longtime PDP leader and respected member of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), made the startling claim during a televised appearance on Channels TV on Monday. He openly rejected any attempt to return Atiku as the party’s standard-bearer, insisting that such a move would spell disaster.

“If Atiku grabs the ticket again, that’s the end of the PDP,” George warned. “If it happens through manipulation like it did before, we’re not going to stand for it.”

Atiku’s Long-Standing Presidential Ambition Hits a Wall

George’s remarks deliver a harsh political blow to Atiku Abubakar, who has been chasing the presidency since the early 1990s. Despite six attempts through multiple political platforms, the former vice president has yet to secure the nation’s top office.

Most recently, he contested the 2023 election under the PDP banner but finished second to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Since then, Atiku has refused to step away from the political spotlight. He has instead doubled down on his ambitions, attempting to reframe himself as the unifying force for a fragmented opposition.

In a bold political move on March 20, 2025, Atiku introduced a new alliance—a self-proclaimed “third force”—which includes notable figures such as Labour Party’s Peter Obi and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai. This coalition aims to unseat the APC-led government in the next general election by combining the strengths of key opposition actors.

However, Bode George remains unconvinced and has firmly opposed the coalition’s direction and Atiku’s continued leadership bid.

PDP Leadership Questioned Amid Internal Divisions

George criticized Atiku’s role during the PDP’s recent internal conflicts, arguing that a true party leader would have stepped in to unify warring factions and stabilize the organization.

“If he truly considered himself the party’s leader, he would have intervened during the crises,” George said. “Being the presidential candidate last time does not automatically grant him permanent leadership. If he’s acting out of personal ambition, that’s not the same as representing the collective interests of the party.”

When asked about the chances of Atiku clinching the PDP ticket again in 2027, George dismissed the possibility outright. “No, he cannot. That’s my position,” he said firmly.

PDP’s Founding Principle of Zoning Comes to the Fore

Central to George’s opposition is the principle of rotational presidency—a long-standing doctrine within the PDP that supports alternating the presidential ticket between northern and southern Nigeria.

“The PDP constitution, specifically Section 7, Sub-section 3C, is clear,” George stated. “Once the presidency has remained in one region for eight years, it must rotate. Tell me, is Atiku from the South-West, South-South, or South-East?”

George’s argument highlights a growing sentiment within the party that the next PDP candidate must come from southern Nigeria, in the spirit of fairness and national balance. He insists that continuing to support northern candidates after the Buhari administration’s eight-year rule undermines the PDP’s identity and internal cohesion.

Rejecting Both Tinubu and Atiku

While Bode George made it clear that he opposes Atiku’s bid, he also expressed strong disapproval of President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, despite their shared origins in Lagos State.

“I don’t want another Tinubu term either,” George remarked. “But what I do want is for the PDP to win the presidency—this time with a southern candidate at the helm. Not Atiku. He’s welcome to join any other party—it’s his constitutional right—but not here, not anymore.”

Growing Tensions in the PDP

George’s blunt comments reflect the widening divisions within the PDP as it approaches a pivotal election cycle. Disputes over zoning, party leadership, and ideological direction have sparked intense debate among senior figures, especially after the party’s disappointing performance in the 2023 election.

Many observers see Atiku’s continuing political ambition as a double-edged sword. While he remains one of the most experienced politicians in the country with broad name recognition, critics argue that his repeated losses and inability to unite the opposition threaten the PDP’s future viability.

At the same time, his recent coalition-building with Obi, El-Rufai, and others raises questions about his loyalty to the PDP, especially as prominent governors and stakeholders begin to distance themselves from the new alliance.

What Lies Ahead for the PDP?

As Nigeria inches closer to the 2027 elections, the PDP faces a critical juncture. The decision to either re-nominate Atiku or pivot to a southern candidate could determine whether the party revitalizes its base or falls further into decline.

For Bode George and others who share his views, the path forward is clear: the PDP must realign itself with its founding principles, embrace a fresh face from the South, and present a credible alternative to the APC if it hopes to regain national relevance.

The internal debate continues to rage, and with influential voices like George speaking out, the battle for the soul of the PDP promises to be as intense as any general election campaign.