George: “Nigeria Would Have Collapsed If Atiku Was Elected As President In 2023”
Atiku to George: “You Lied, You Are A Disgrace To The Military”
By Abiola Olawale
A former Deputy National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, and a former Vice President. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar are locked in a heated debate over the current realities of Nigeria.
Trouble began when George, a former Military governor of Ondo state, declared that Nigeria would have experienced a huge crisis if Atiku, the 2023 presidential candidate of the PDP was elected as president.
The PDP Chieftain claimed Atiku would have failed woefully as the president if he had won at the polls.
According to him, the emergence of Atiku as the President of Nigeria in 2023 would have created a big chaos between southerners and northerners.
He said: “If he had won that election, you think this country would have been stable? Because somebody from the north (Buhari) had just finished eight years, and our form is that after the eight years, the presidential candidate must come to the south.”
However, in a swift reaction, Atiku in a statement issued by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, faulted George’s statement, emphasizing that his presidency would have ushered in prosperity.
Atiku stated that his presidency would have protected Nigeria’s interests, avoiding the favouritism, prejudice, and lawlessness allegedly associated with the current administration.
According to him, George has no moral right to criticise him, accusing the PDP chieftain of being tribalist.
The statement read in part “Contrary to Chief Bode George’s imprudent talk, an @atiku presidency would have heralded an era of prosperity, driven by a cabinet brimming with seasoned and adept individuals, chosen solely on merit regardless of their background or beliefs.
“Such leadership would have safeguarded Nigeria’s interests, steering clear of the bigotry and nepotism and brigandage that characterizes this administration. Instead of the current state of disarray, driven by haphazard policies, Nigeria would have thrived under Atiku’s guidance.
“In contrast, we see Bode George, who once threatened exile, should Tinubu ascend to power, now oddly silent about the present administration. Is Bode’s reticence because Atiku is not from his region? It is prudent to consider Bode’s opinions with caution.
“Furthermore, Bode’s conduct is a disservice to the military, an institution esteemed for its unity. Here is a Commodore who, paradoxically, embraces tribalism and undermines the very principles of the military. It is a source of shame for the armed forces to have such a figure in their ranks.”
