The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has dismissed concerns about his age ahead of the 2027 presidential election, challenging critics to judge whether he looks like someone approaching 80.
Atiku made the remarks in an interview with BBC Hausa published on Friday while responding to questions about whether his age could affect his ability to provide effective leadership if elected president.
The former vice president, who would be almost 80 by the time of the 2027 election, was asked what he would tell Nigerians who believe his age is 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 that Tinubu was not yet 80, Atiku replied: “Do I look to you like someone who has reached 80 years of age?”
The comments come as Atiku intensifies preparations for the 2027 presidential election and continues efforts to rally opposition politicians around a coalition to challenge 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 in 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.
He said most of the politicians involved in establishing the coalition remained committed to the group despite disagreements among some major opposition figures.
According to Atiku, Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso were among the prominent opposition figures who had left the coalition.
“It was just Kwankwaso… he was with us at first, then he left,” he said.
On Obi, Atiku added: “Yes, and also Peter Obi. It’s just them, but the rest of us are still here continuing our work.”
Despite the divisions, Atiku said there was still a possibility of opposition politicians reaching an agreement ahead of 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.”
The ADC candidate also criticised the Federal Government’s handling of the removal of the petrol subsidy, questioning how the savings from the policy had been spent.
“I did not oppose the removal of the oil subsidy, but where is the money? Where did it go?” Atiku asked.
He argued that the funds saved from subsidy removal should have been channelled towards reducing poverty, improving education, tackling insecurity and creating opportunities for young Nigerians.
“Where is the money now? It seems they are just stealing it,” he alleged.
Atiku further pledged to restore the petrol subsidy if elected president and called for anyone found to have misappropriated the funds to refund them.
“If elected, I will bring back the oil subsidy, and whoever stole the money must refund it,” he said.
He maintained that the subsidy could have been removed without imposing the current level of hardship on Nigerians if the savings had been properly managed and used to improve citizens’ welfare.
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