Elder statesman and former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Deputy Chairman, Olabode George, has described the passing of erstwhile President Muhammadu Buhari as a ‘leveller’, urging all politicians to be sober.
Speaking via a statement issued in Lagos, George stated that death has a humbling power, adding that it eliminates advantages and disadvantages.
He, however, warned against mocking Buhari’s death, insisting that it is an ‘unAfrican’ thing to do.
He said, “Obviously, death has a humbling power. It eliminates advantages and disadvantages.
“The moment it strikes, you will realise that all men and women are the same, irrespective of social status, wealth, fame, power, religion and connections.
“Everybody will end up in six feet. We are all mortals.
“The lesson of his death is for everybody to be sober, whether you are in power or not, rich or poor. Death does not give a notice.
“It is also wrong for anybody to mock somebody’s death. It is un-African. God does not like that because judgment belongs to Him alone.
“As my former boss, I see his death as a lesson to everybody. Life is transient, and the power you wield today is temporary. The only permanent power belongs to God Almighty.”
George used the opportunity to send a strong message to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that the presidency would remain in the South till 2031.
He reiterated that PDP, as a party, would not field a Northerner as presidential candidate in 2027.
George added, “It is the policy of our party as handed over to us by our founding fathers.
“This is not my personal opinion, but rooted in our party constitution. I also want the electorate to know this.
“Atiku can go to another party to contest, but PDP will look for a Southerner to wrest power from the APC in 2027.
“A cardinal principle of our party is that, eight years North, eight years South, simple. It is not my own making. Anything short of this is unacceptable.
“Atiku and the rest know that if they remain in PDP, it is not possible for them to get the PDP ticket.”