Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, has downplayed worries about his age ahead of the 2027 presidential election, asking detractors if he looks like someone approaching 80.
Atiku claimed this in an interview with BBC Hausa published on Friday, in response to worries that his age may limit his ability to give effective leadership if elected.
The former vice president was replying to a query about how his age would impair his ability to give effective and healthy leadership for four years if elected.
The interviewer mentioned 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 thought his age was too advanced for the presidency.
Atiku responded by referencing President Bola Tinubu’s age before questioning the question’s premise.
“You went and voted for someone who is 80 or 90 years old. “How old is President Bola? 90?” he inquired.
When the interviewer corrected him, stating that Tinubu was not yet 80, Atiku retorted, “Do I look to you like someone who has reached 80 years of age?”
The exchange comes as Atiku steps up his plans for the 2027 presidential election, hoping to unify opposition lawmakers behind a coalition to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Atiku also denied that he had become an impediment to the opposition alliance, claiming that he was essential in bringing the group together.
“That is a baseless accusation leveled against me. I was actually the one who initiated the coalition. Nobody else… I, Atiku Abubakar, started it,” he said.
Despite differences among some of the prominent opposition figures, he claims that the majority of the lawmakers that formed the coalition remained together.
He named NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi and his running mate Rabiu Kwankwaso as the two most prominent opposition figures who have left the party.
“It was just Kwankwaso… he was with us at first, then he left,” Atiku said.
Speaking about Obi, he added, “Yes, and also Peter Obi. It’s just them, but the rest of us are still here continuing our work.”
However, Atiku stated that the opposition leaders might still work 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 condemned the federal government’s handling of the removal of the petrol subsidy, saying the savings from the policy had not been adequately accounted for.
“I did not oppose the removal of the oil subsidy, but where is the money? Where did it go?” Atiku asked.
He stated that the funds were supposed to help reduce poverty, improve education, address insecurity, and create opportunities for young Nigerians.
“Where is the money now? It seems they are just stealing it,” he said.
If elected president, Atiku promised to restore the petrol subsidy while insisting that anyone who stole the money return it.
“If elected, I will bring back the oil subsidy, and whoever stole the money must refund it,” he said.
He also stated that the subsidy could have been removed without causing the level of hardship being experienced by Nigerians if the savings had been properly used.
“The government successfully removed the subsidy, but we do not know where the money went.
“If they had used the money for development, to solve security problems, for education, and to create opportunities for the youth, it would be different,” Atiku said.
He also defended his decision not to sign a peace accord involving opposition politicians, saying he questioned why the incumbent government was not included.
He said, “Why is it always only us in the opposition that you bring to sign, but you never bring the incumbent government to sign as well?”
The former vice president added that he saw little value in the exercise if the ruling party was excluded.
“So, if you don’t bring the incumbent government to come and sign, I see no point in going to sign it,” he said.
