Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria’s former Vice President, has stated that he will continue to run for the oval seat as long as his health allows.
He also remarked that he was inspired by the narrative of former American President Abraham Lincoln, who had to run for president several times before being elected.
“Of course, I will keep contesting again and again as long as I am alive and healthy,” Atiku said during an interview on the Hausa service of the Voice of America in Abuja.
Atiku was the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate during the 2019 and 2023 presidential elections.
He lost against former President Muhammadu Buhari and current President Bola Tinubu in 2019 and 2023, respectively.
Atiku, who was former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s vice president from 1999 to 2007, will be 81 years old when the next presidential election takes place in 2027.
Despite his age, the former vice president stated that he would “keep contesting” for the number one position until his health permitted. “Even the former US President Abraham Lincoln contested seven times before finally winning,” he said.
“However, given the current state of the PDP, it is clear that a single-handed effort will not suffice to win the election. Strong support and collaboration with other parties are required.”
“Even the former US President Abraham Lincoln contested seven times before finally winning,” he said.
“However, given the current state of the PDP, it is clear that a single-handed effort will not suffice to win the election. Strong support and collaboration with other parties are required.”
Meanwhile, Atiku recently stated that if his party determines that 2027 is the year of the South-East and chooses Peter Obi as its candidate, he will gladly back him.
“I have said repeatedly, and I even said it before the 2023 general elections, that if the PDP decides to zone the presidential ticket to the South or South-East specifically, I won’t contest it. As long as it’s the decision of the party, I will abide by it. But I contested the 2023 presidential ticket because it was thrown open to all members of the party.
“If the party decides that it’s the turn of the South-East and Peter Obi is chosen, I won’t hesitate to support him,” Atiku declared in a recent interview with BBC Hausa Service.
Speaking about the meeting with the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, Atiku said, “It’s just a normal friendly meeting that we often have, particularly among us in the opposition parties. Such meetings are healthy for Nigeria’s democracy and in the country’s interest.”
Answering questions about a merger, he said, “Yes, it’s very much possible. We can merge to achieve a common goal. So, it’s possible, and nothing can stop it if we wish to achieve that.”
