Dele Momodu Defends Atiku Abubakar Against Ageist Critics, Cites Global Leaders

Veteran journalist and publisher Dele Momodu has strongly refuted the growing chorus urging former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race. Momodu characterized the opposition to Abubakar's candidacy as "unbridled chicanery," dismissing the arguments that Abubakar's age would make him unfit for the presidency. He contends that such campaigns are a misdirection of energy, diverting focus from holding the current ruling government accountable.

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Instead of making videos against the ruling government, you’re dissipating energy on a man who has never wronged your preferred candidate.

Momodu bolstered his argument by referencing a distinguished list of global leaders who have served their nations effectively well into their later years. He pointed to figures such as former US Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden, Nelson Mandela of South Africa, and Liberia's Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, among others, asserting that they leveraged their age and experience for national betterment. Momodu rhetorically questioned what precisely disqualifies Atiku Abubakar, suggesting that experience and a proven track record should be valued over age.

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They made good use of their age and experience for the betterment of their nations.

This defense comes in response to activists like Zekeri Idris Jnr, who have publicly appealed for Abubakar to yield ground to younger contenders. Idris argues that Nigeria's present-day challenges demand a different kind of energy and that a candidate projected to be 80 by 2027 would struggle to win votes, regardless of their running mate. Idris also suggested that Abubakar should adopt an elder statesman's role, focusing on uniting younger aspirants rather than competing against them. The debate highlights a significant generational divide in Nigerian politics and the ongoing discussion about leadership suitability.

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What disqualifies Alhaji Atiku Abubakar please!