Atiku’s defection from PDP confirms selfishness – Bode George

Atiku’s defection from PDP confirms selfishness – Bode George

A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olabode George, said the exit from the party of the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has confirmed his selfishness.

George, who made the remark in a chat with Vanguard, advised the former presidential candidate to retire from politics.

Atiku, on Wednesday, announced his resignation from the PDP, citing irreconcilable differences and a shift in the party’s direction from its founding principles.

In a letter dated July 14, 2025, and addressed to the Chairman of PDP Jada 1 Ward in Adamawa State, he formally terminated his membership in the party with immediate effect.

Atiku, who served as Vice President from 1999 to 2007, expressed deep gratitude for the opportunities the party afforded him, including running twice as its presidential candidate.

In addition, he said his decision was driven by what he described as the party’s departure from its core values.

The letter read: “I am writing to formally resign my membership from the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, with immediate effect.

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“Serving two full terms as vice president of Nigeria and being a presidential candidate twice has been one of the most significant chapters of my life,” he wrote. “As a founding father of this esteemed party, it is indeed heartbreaking for me to make this decision.

“I find it necessary to part ways due to the current trajectory the party has taken, which I believe diverges from the foundational principles we stood for.

“It is with a heavy heart that I resign, recognising the irreconcilable differences that have emerged.

“I wish the party and its leadership all the best in the future. Thank you once again for the opportunities and support.”

In reaction to his defection, the PDP chieftain said, He said, “Atiku has just confirmed that his selfishness made him leave the party. He is more bothered about what he stands to gain rather than what Nigerians stand to gain or benefit from.”

George also advised Atiku to retire from politics and return home to his family.

“For me, my advice to him, as a friend and an older brother, is that he should retire home and rest. In 2007, he should have gotten what he wanted, but he missed the opportunity. My advice to him is to spend the rest of his life in peace of mind with his family. He should learn from the life of the late Muhammadu Buhari.

‘’Atiku has benefited by becoming number two in this country, and he is not somebody who can be pushed away easily. What else does he want to offer Nigerians? It is because he wants to be president; that is why he left the PDP; he has done it before.

‘’He was taught a lesson by Bola, but presently, there is no place he can return to. My advice to him is that he should go and rest. I would not say he should not contest, but he cannot get the ticket or our party because our laws don’t allow it,” George stated.

Atiku’s defection from PDP confirms selfishness – Bode George