2027: Do I look 80? Atiku dismisses age concerns

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar, has dismissed concerns about his age ahead of the 2027 presidential election, challenging Nigerians to determine whether he looks like someone approaching 80.

Atiku spoke in an interview with BBC Hausa published on Friday while responding to concerns that his age could affect his ability to provide effective leadership if elected president.

Age concerns

The former vice-president was asked whether his age could affect his ability to provide effective and healthy leadership for four years if elected.

The interviewer noted that Atiku would be “almost or nearly 80 years old” by the time Nigerians vote in 2027 and asked what he would tell those who consider his age too advanced for the presidency.

Responding, Atiku referenced President Bola Tinubu’s age before challenging the premise 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, explaining that Tinubu was not yet 80, Atiku replied: “Do I look to you like someone who has reached 80 years of age?”

Coalition politics

The exchange comes as Atiku intensifies preparations for the 2027 presidential election and seeks to rally opposition politicians behind a coalition aimed at challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Atiku also rejected allegations that he had become an obstacle to the opposition coalition, insisting that he was instrumental to its formation.

“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 the former vice-president, most of the politicians involved in establishing the coalition remained together despite disagreements among some major opposition figures.

He identified former Anambra State governor Peter Obi and former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso as the two major opposition figures who had left the group.

“It was just Kwankwaso… he was with us at first, then he left,” Atiku said.

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.”

Possibility of opposition unity

Despite the divisions, Atiku said there was still room for opposition politicians to reunite and work together before the 2027 election.

“Nothing is impossible, by God’s grace,” he said.

“One day you’ll see… we have agreed to work together to save this country and its poor citizens, Insha Allah,” Atiku added.

Subsidy savings

The ADC presidential candidate also criticised the Federal Government’s handling of the removal of the petrol subsidy, questioning how the funds saved from the policy had been spent.

Atiku said he did not oppose the decision to remove the subsidy but demanded accountability over the resulting savings.

“I did not oppose the removal of the oil subsidy, but where is the money? Where did it go?” he asked.

He argued that the savings should have been channelled towards reducing poverty, improving education, tackling insecurity and creating economic opportunities for young Nigerians.

“Where is the money now? It seems they are just stealing it,” he alleged.

Promise to restore subsidy

Atiku further promised to restore the petrol subsidy if elected president, while calling for the recovery of funds allegedly stolen from the scheme.

“If elected, I will bring back the oil subsidy, and whoever stole the money must refund it,” he said.

The former vice-president maintained that the subsidy could have been removed without causing the level of hardship currently experienced by Nigerians if the savings had been properly managed and invested in programmes that directly benefit citizens.

His comments come as political activities and negotiations intensify ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with opposition parties and politicians exploring possible alliances to challenge the APC.