The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has dismissed concerns about his age ahead of the 2027 presidential election, challenging critics to say whether he looks like someone approaching 80.
Atiku spoke in an interview with BBC Hausa published on
Friday while responding to concerns that his age could affect his ability to
provide effective leadership if elected.
The former vice president was asked whether his age could
affect his ability to provide effective and healthy leadership for four years
if elected president.
The interviewer noted that Atiku would be “almost or nearly
80 years old” by the time Nigerians vote in 2027 and asked what he would say to
those who consider his age too advanced for the presidency.
Responding, Atiku referenced President Bola Tinubu’s age
before challenging the premise of the question.
“You went and voted for someone who is 80, I mean 90 years
old. How old is President Bola, 90?” he asked.
When the interviewer corrected him, saying Tinubu was not
yet 80, Atiku replied: “Do I look to you like someone who has reached 80 years
of age?”
The exchange comes as Atiku intensifies preparations for the
2027 presidential election and seeks to rally opposition politicians behind a
coalition aimed at challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Atiku also rejected claims that he had become an obstacle to
the opposition coalition, saying he was instrumental in bringing the group
together.
“That is a baseless accusation levelled against me. I was
actually the one who initiated the coalition. Nobody else… I, Atiku Abubakar,
started it,” he said.
According to him, most of the politicians who started the
coalition remained together despite disagreements among some major opposition
figures.
He identified NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi and his
running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, as the two major opposition figures who had left
the group.
“It was just Kwankwaso… he was with us at first, then he
left,” Atiku said.
Asked about Obi, he added: “Yes, and also Peter Obi. It’s
just them, but the rest of us are still here continuing our work.”
Atiku, however, said there was still a possibility of
opposition politicians working together before the 2027 election.
“Nothing is impossible, by God’s grace.
“One day you’ll see… we have agreed to work together to save
this country and its poor citizens, Insha Allah,” he said.
The former vice president also criticised the Federal
Government’s handling of the removal of the petrol subsidy, questioning how the
savings from the policy had been spent.
“I did not oppose the removal of the oil subsidy, but where
is the money? Where did it go?” Atiku asked.
He said the funds were supposed to be used to reduce
poverty, improve education, tackle insecurity and create opportunities for
young Nigerians.
“Where is the money now? It seems they are just stealing
it,” he alleged.
Atiku also promised to restore the petrol subsidy if elected
president and demanded that anyone who had stolen the funds refund them.
“If elected, I will bring back the oil subsidy, and whoever
stole the money must refund it,” he said.
He further argued that the subsidy could have been removed
without causing the level of hardship currently experienced by Nigerians if the
savings had been properly utilised.
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