Atiku Abubakar isn’t backing down from critics questioning whether he’s too old to lead Nigeria. The former vice president, responding to concerns about his age ahead of the 2027 presidential election, turned the tables on his interviewer with a pointed challenge. “Do I look to you like someone who has reached 80 years of age?” he asked during a recent BBC Hausa interview published on Friday.
The presidential hopeful didn’t stop there. He reminded Nigerians they’d already voted for President Bola Tinubu, who he claimed was nearly 90, though the interviewer quickly corrected that Tinubu hasn’t yet reached 80. Still, Atiku’s message was clear: age shouldn’t be the deciding factor in Nigeria’s political future.
Beyond defending his fitness for office, Atiku doubled down on his opposition coalition strategy. He dismissed accusations that he’d become an obstacle to unity, insisting he actually initiated the coalition himself. Only Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso have left the group, he noted, while most opposition figures remain committed.
Perhaps his strongest words came on fuel subsidy removal. “Where is the money?” Atiku demanded, questioning how the government spent the savings. He’s promised to restore the subsidy if elected and wants anyone who stole funds to refund them. That’s a bold promise in a country weary of broken commitments.
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