Atiku concerned about plight of Nigerians — not 2027 elections, says Paul Ibe

Paul Ibe, media adviser to Atiku Abubakar, says the former vice-president is not interested in the politics of the 2027 presidential elections.

On Wednesday, Bode George, a former deputy national chairman (south) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said Abubakar should consider retiring from active politics.

He said the PDP should not zone the party’s presidential ticket to the north in 2027, when the next general election will be held.

The PDP chieftain added that Abubakar should wait till 2031 if he is keen on becoming Nigerian president.

Responding to George’s remarks on Thursday, Ibe said Abubakar is preoccupied with the current issues facing Nigeria and not interested in the politics of 2027.

“We cannot afford to put the cart before the horse. At this point, Atiku Abubakar’s preoccupation is not 2027. His concern is about 2024,” Ibe said.

“It is about 2025 and 2026 and beyond. His concern is about the plight of Nigerians who are literarily going through hell because of the failed trial-and-error policies of this administration.

“The average citizen, and indeed all Nigerians, need to survive the tsunami that has become the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

“It is insensitive to be talking about 2027 now when the 2023 mandate has not yielded any tangible benefits for Nigerians, who are now far worse off in every facet of life.

“Bode George himself should also turn his attention to counseling Tinubu to reassess some of his ill-advised policies that have deepened poverty and divisions in our country instead of prioritising the politics of 2027.”

In May, Abubakar, who was PDP standard-bearer in the 2023 elections, said he would “keep contesting” for the Nigerian presidency as long as he is hale and hearty.

The politician will be 81 by the time the next presidential election comes around in 2027. In 2031, he will be 85.

Abubakar has run for the number one office six times but has been on the ballot as a presidential candidate on three occasions—2007, 2019, and 2023.