Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed concerns about his age ahead of the 2027 presidential election, asking critics if he looks like someone who is approaching 80.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, made the comment during an interview with BBC Hausa published on Friday. He was responding to concerns about whether his age could affect his ability to provide effective leadership for four years if elected.
The interviewer noted that Atiku would be nearly 80 by the time Nigerians vote in 2027. He then asked what the former vice president would say to those who consider his age too advanced for the presidency. Atiku responded by referring to President Bola Tinubu’s age before challenging the basis 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 and said Tinubu was not yet 80, Atiku replied:
“Do I look to you like someone who has reached 80 years of age?”
Atiku defends opposition coalition
The former vice president also rejected claims that he had become an obstacle to the opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 election. He said he played a major role in bringing the group together and maintained that most of the politicians who started the coalition remained committed to it.
“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 Atiku, NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, are the major opposition figures who have left the group.
“It was just Kwankwaso… he was with us at first, then he left,” Atiku said.
When 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.”
Despite the disagreements, Atiku said the opposition could 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.
Atiku questions petrol subsidy savings
The ADC candidate also criticised the Federal Government over the removal of the petrol subsidy, questioning how it had used the savings from the policy. Atiku said he did not oppose the subsidy removal. However, he argued that the savings should have helped reduce poverty and improve education.
He added that the money should have supported efforts to tackle insecurity and create opportunities for young Nigerians.
“I did not oppose the removal of the oil subsidy, but where is the money? Where did it go?” Atiku asked.
The former vice president further questioned the whereabouts of the funds, alleging that they had not been properly accounted for.
“Where is the money now? It seems they are just stealing it,” he said.
Atiku promised to restore the petrol subsidy if elected president. He also said anyone who stole the money would have to refund it.
“If elected, I will bring back the oil subsidy, and whoever stole the money must refund it,” he said.
He argued that the government could have removed the subsidy without causing the level of hardship Nigerians are currently facing.
According to Atiku, the savings should have gone into development, security, education and opportunities for young people.
“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.
Atiku explains refusal to sign peace accord
The former vice president also defended his decision not to sign a peace accord involving opposition politicians. He questioned why the incumbent government and the ruling party were not included in the exercise. Atiku said the process had little value if only opposition politicians were required to sign the agreement.
“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?”
He added:
“So, if you don’t bring the incumbent government to come and sign, I see no point in going to sign it,” he said.
