A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dele Momodu, has rejected growing calls for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to step aside ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku, who will be 80 by the time of the polls, has faced criticism over his age. However, Momodu, a loyal ally, described the campaign against him as “unbridled chicanery.”
His response followed remarks by activist Zekeri Idris Jnr, who argued that Atiku’s projected age makes him unfit for the presidency. In a viral video lasting nearly two and a half minutes, Idris, dressed in green traditional attire, urged Atiku’s supporters to persuade him to withdraw in favour of younger candidates.
“If he likes, let him bring angels as running mates – not even Peter Obi – we won’t vote for an 80 year old man,” he said.
Idris also called on Atiku to assume an elder statesman role by backing younger aspirants, including Peter Obi and former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Reacting in a statement shared on social media, Momodu accused critics of misdirecting their focus instead of holding the ruling government accountable.
“Instead of making videos against the ruling government, you’re dissipating energy on a man who has never wronged your preferred candidate,” he said.
To support his stance, Momodu cited several global figures who held office or remained active in politics at advanced ages. These include present and former U.S. Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden, U.S. senator Bernie Sanders, former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and Nigeria’s former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Others mentioned include South Africa’s anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela, former Ghanaian leader Nana Akufo-Addo, former U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, and Liberian President Joseph Boakai.
“What disqualifies Alhaji Atiku Abubakar?” Momodu asked.
Atiku, who contested the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party and lost to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is widely believed to be preparing for another bid in 2027, this time under the African Democratic Congress.
