He said the hunger and hardship in the land was worrying to his principal and at such, Atiku had put politics aside and was focusing on humanity and not 2027 politicking.
While responding to a former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Bode George, who asked Atiku to wait till 2031 for his presidential ambition, Ibe asked Gorge to turn his direction to Tinubu.
He said, “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.
“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,” Ibe was quoted as saying by Vanguard.
He also said it was insensitive for the elderstateman to delve into 2027 politicking in 2024 despite the prevailing hunger and hardship facing Nigerians.
“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 counselling 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.”
George had, in a statement on Wednesday, said that a Southerner must occupy the office from 2023 to 2031 “because that is the reality of our country, PDP constitution, and our polity”.
“Even in 2027, Atiku will be 81 years and this is the time for him to embrace President Joe Biden’s concept of allowing the younger generation to run for the highest office in the land. I have nothing personal against Alhaji Abubakar. He is my friend but the truth must be told. By 2027, by God’s Grace, I will also be in my 80s.
“So, what am I looking for in public office as an octogenarian? The same principle should apply to Alhaji Abubakar. We all saw what American President, Joe Biden, did recently when he stepped down for Kamala Harris to contest the November presidential election.
“That is the hallmark of a statesman. Alhaji Abubakar should do the same so that in 2027, PDP will field a southerner as a presidential candidate,” George, a former military governor of Ondo State,” he said.