Godsent Ogbebor
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has dismissed concerns about his age, saying he is fit and healthy to lead Nigeria if elected in the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku, who will be nearly 80 by the time Nigerians vote, spoke in an interview with BBC Hausa while responding to questions about whether his age could affect his ability to provide effective leadership.
Asked what he would tell those who considered him too old to contest, Atiku said, “Do I look to you like someone who has reached 80 years of age?”
He also questioned President Bola Tinubu’s age during the interview, before the interviewer corrected him that Tinubu was not yet 80.
On the opposition coalition, Atiku rejected claims that he had become an obstacle to its progress, describing the accusation as baseless.
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He said he was the person who initiated the coalition and maintained that he had worked to bring opposition leaders together.
Atiku identified Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso as the two major opposition figures who had left the coalition.
“It was just Kwankwaso… he was with us at first, then he left,” he said.
He added, “Yes, and also Peter Obi. It’s just them, but the rest of us are still here continuing our work.”
Atiku, however, expressed optimism that the opposition leaders could still work together for the good of the country.
