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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Atiku Abubakar Dismisses Age Concerns for 2027 Presidency, Questions Critics

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Interview Named sources Context piece
  • Atiku Abubakar, ADC presidential candidate, dismissed concerns about his age for the 2027 election, questioning critics' perceptions.
  • He discussed his role in forming an opposition coalition and identified key figures who have left the group.
  • Abubakar also criticized the government's handling of the petrol subsidy removal, questioning the accountability of the saved funds.

Ahead of the 2027 presidential election, African Democratic Congress candidate Atiku Abubakar has directly addressed concerns regarding his age, challenging critics by asking, "Do I look to you like someone who has reached 80 years of age?" This statement came during an interview with BBC Hausa, where he responded to questions about whether his age might impede his ability to provide effective leadership.

Do I look to you like someone who has reached 80 years of age?

— Atiku AbubakarResponding to questions about his age and fitness for the presidency in an interview with BBC Hausa.

Abubakar referenced President Bola Tinubu's age, initially misstating it, before pivoting to his own appearance. He was responding to the interviewer's point that Abubakar would be "almost or nearly 80 years old" by the 2027 vote. The former vice president asserted that he initiated the opposition coalition aimed at challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress, refuting claims that he has become an obstacle to its unity.

That is a baseless accusation levelled against me. I was actually the one who initiated the coalition. Nobody else…I, Atiku Abubakar, started it.

— Atiku AbubakarDenying claims that he is an obstacle to the opposition coalition.

He identified Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso as the two main opposition figures who have departed from the coalition, while stating that the majority of the founding politicians remain committed. Despite current disagreements among some major opposition figures, Abubakar expressed optimism about the possibility of them reuniting before the 2027 election, stating, "One day you'll see… we have agreed to work together to save this country and its poor citizens, Insha Allah."

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.

— Atiku AbubakarExpressing hope for future cooperation among opposition politicians.

In addition to political maneuvering, Abubakar also voiced criticism regarding the Federal Government's management of the petrol subsidy removal. He questioned the allocation and accountability of the funds saved from the policy, stating, "I did not oppose the removal of the oil subsidy, but where is the money? Where did it go?" He argued that these savings were intended to alleviate poverty, implying a lack of transparency in their utilization.

I did not oppose the removal of the oil subsidy, but where is the money? Where did it go?

— Atiku AbubakarCriticizing the government's handling of the petrol subsidy removal and questioning the use of saved funds.
About this summary

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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