Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has declared his intention to continue vying for Nigeria’s presidency as long as his health allows. During an interview with the Hausa service of the Voice of America in Abuja, Atiku expressed his unwavering commitment to his presidential aspirations, drawing inspiration from the persistence of former American President Abraham Lincoln.
“Of course, I will keep contesting again and again as long as I am alive and healthy,” said the 77-year-old politician. Atiku was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2019 and 2023 elections, where he lost to former President Muhammadu Buhari and incumbent President Bola Tinubu, respectively.
Having served as vice president under former President Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999 to 2007, Atiku will be 81 during the next presidential election in 2027. Despite his age, he remains determined to continue his political journey. “Even the former US President Abraham Lincoln contested seven times before finally winning,” he noted.
Atiku acknowledged the challenges facing the PDP and emphasized the need for strong support and collaboration with other political parties to secure an electoral victory. “Given the current state of the PDP, it is clear that a single-handed effort will not suffice to win the election. Strong support and collaboration with other parties are required,” he said.
In a recent interview with the BBC Hausa Service, Atiku reiterated his willingness to support the party’s decisions regarding the presidential candidacy. “I have said repeatedly and I even said it before the 2023 general elections that if the PDP decides to zone the presidential ticket to the South or South-East specifically, I won’t contest it. As long as it’s the decision of the party, I will abide by it. But I contested the 2023 presidential ticket because it was thrown open to all members of the party,” he explained.
Atiku also expressed his readiness to support Peter Obi if the PDP decides to nominate him as their candidate in 2027. “If the party decides that it’s the turn of the South-East and Peter Obi is chosen, I won’t hesitate to support him,” he declared.
Regarding his recent meeting with Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Atiku described it as a routine friendly interaction. “It’s just a normal friendly meeting that we often have, particularly among us in the opposition parties. Such meetings are healthy for Nigeria’s democracy and in the country’s interest,” he stated.
When asked about the potential for a merger between opposition parties, Atiku affirmed its possibility. “Yes, it’s very much possible. We can merge to achieve a common goal. So, it’s possible, and nothing can stop it if we wish to achieve that,” he concluded.
