Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has declared that the 2027 general election will be his last attempt to become Nigeria’s president.
The seasoned politician, who will turn 80 by the next election cycle, made the announcement during an interview on Arise News on Wednesday.
“Certainly yes, because the stakes are higher – I believe that will be my last outing. So that’s incontrovertible,” Atiku said when asked whether 2027 would mark his final run.
Pressed on why Nigerians should still trust him after decades in politics, the presidential hopeful argued that his experience uniquely qualifies him to lead the country at a critical juncture.
“I represent both the past and the future simply because we have seen various levels of leadership in the country, both young and old, and we’re experiencing them,” he said.
Atiku also voiced concerns about the performance of younger leaders, suggesting they have not fully met expectations.
“I still believe that our expectations of the young leadership are below what we thought,” he added, stressing the need for mentorship and guidance from older, more experienced politicians.
According to Atiku, such guidance is most effective when exercised from a position of power. Reflecting on his time as vice-president, he noted: “Sometimes you need to be [in power]. What I was able to learn from President Olusegun Obasanjo through his experience, I couldn’t have learned it outside.”