Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has dismissed concerns about his age ahead of the 2027 presidential election, challenging critics to judge him beyond his age.

Atiku made the remark in an interview with BBC Hausa published on Friday while responding to concerns that 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 say to those who consider his age too advanced for the presidency.

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Responding, Atiku referenced President Bola Tinubu 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, saying Tinubu was not yet 80, Atiku replied, “Do I look to you like someone who has reached 80 years of age?”

The former vice president is currently intensifying his preparations for the 2027 presidential election and seeking to rally opposition politicians behind a coalition aimed at challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Atiku also rejected claims that he had become an obstacle to the opposition coalition, insisting that he was instrumental in bringing the group together.

“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 Atiku, most of the politicians who started the coalition remain together despite disagreements among some major opposition figures.

He identified Peter Obi and 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.”

However, Atiku said there was still a possibility that the opposition politicians could work together before the 2027 election.
“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,” he said.

On the removal of the petrol subsidy, Atiku criticised the Federal Government, questioning how the savings from the policy had been used.

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

He said the funds were expected to help reduce poverty, improve education, tackle insecurity and create opportunities for young Nigerians.

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

Atiku also promised to restore the petrol subsidy if elected president and demanded that anyone who had stolen the money should refund it.

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

He argued that the subsidy could have been removed without causing the level of hardship Nigerians are experiencing if the savings had been properly utilised.

“The government successfully removed the subsidy, but we do not know where the money went.

“If they had used the money for development, to solve security problems, for education, and to create opportunities for the youth, it would be different,” Atiku said.

The ADC presidential candidate also defended his decision not to sign a peace accord involving opposition politicians, questioning why the incumbent government was not included.

“Why is it always only us in the opposition that you bring to sign, but you never bring the incumbent government to sign as well?” he asked.

Atiku added that he saw little value in signing the agreement if the ruling party was excluded.

“So, if you don’t bring the incumbent government to come and sign, I see no point in going to sign it,” he said.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday met with governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections intensify.

The meeting, involving members of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), commenced shortly before 4:00 p.m., following a separate session of the National Economic Council (NEC) chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

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As of the time of filing this report, the meeting was still ongoing, while details of the agenda had not been made public.

The engagement comes amid heightened political activities ahead of the 2027 elections, eight days after the official commencement of campaigns in line with the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The meeting also comes five days after the APC released the list of members of its Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 elections.

The campaign council is headed by former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, who was appointed Director-General.

Tinubu’s meeting with the APC governors is expected to provide an opportunity for discussions on political coordination, mobilisation and other issues concerning the party as it prepares for the 2027 polls.

Thousands of residents and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party trooped into the streets of Ogun Central Senatorial District on Wednesday as the party officially commenced its campaign for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections.

The campaign train moved through the three federal constituencies in Ogun Central, with residents and party supporters gathering in large numbers to welcome the party’s candidates and leaders.

The campaign began at Agbado Station in Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency, where supporters welcomed the PDP governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu; his running mate, Alhaja Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo; the party’s Ogun Central senatorial candidate, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo; and other party leaders.

In Abeokuta North Federal Constituency, where Dele Olaleye is the party’s House of Representatives candidate, a large crowd gathered at NTA Junction, Totoro, to receive the campaign team.

Residents and supporters chanted solidarity songs as the candidates promised purposeful representation at the senatorial and federal constituency levels.

The campaign train later moved to Abeokuta South Federal Constituency, where thousands of supporters received the team and followed the convoy to Ake Pavilion, venue of the Ogun Central flag-off rally.

Speaking at the rally, Adebutu urged residents to support Obasanjo, describing her as a tested and trusted candidate whose track record while representing the district had not been matched.

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He urged the people of Ogun Central to reject what he described as non-performance and vote for the PDP in the 2027 election.

Adebutu said, “I want to remind you that the best times of Nigeria have largely emerged under the leadership of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), exemplified by what Baba Obasanjo did as a cornerstone for his successors. Happy days are coming again, very, very soon. In January, a new dawn will break for the betterment of our people.”

He also urged voters to reject the All Progressives Congress government, saying, “I therefore urge you all to make up your mind to reject this oppressive APC government with your vote. You must chart a better tomorrow for yourself and your children. You must all turn out in your large numbers to vote for the PDP in the coming 2027 elections.”

Adebutu further called on supporters to protect their votes and resist intimidation during the election.

“Be ready to stand by your votes, resist intimidation and use the power of the ballot to say enough is enough to misgovernance and maladministration,” he said.

The PDP governorship candidate added that the party would restore what he described as the country’s best times if returned to power.

On her part, Obasanjo said she was encouraged by the fact that residents continued to remember her contributions during her time in office.

She represented the district from 2007 to 2011 and served as Ogun State Commissioner for Health from 2003 to 2007.

The daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo promised to do more to ensure that the people benefited from the dividends of democracy.

She also appealed to residents to support the PDP’s return to power, saying the party would work towards making life more comfortable and rewarding for people across the state.

Residents and supporters who spoke during the campaign pledged their loyalty to the PDP candidates and assured them of their votes in the January 2027 elections.