Atiku Abubakar, the 77-year-old former vice president, has vowed to keep contesting for the Nigerian presidency as long as he remains in good health, despite his multiple failed attempts over the past two decades.
In a defiant stance, Atiku Abubakar, the perennial presidential candidate of Nigeria's main opposition party, has vowed to keep contesting for the nation's highest office as long as he remains hale and hearty, dismissing suggestions that he should opt for retirement after his latest failed bid in the 2023 election.
During an interview on the Hausa service of the Voice of America in Abuja, the 77-year-old Abubakar, who was the standard-bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, expressed his unwavering determination to continue his pursuit of the presidency. "Of course, I will keep contesting again and again as long as I am alive and healthy," Abubakar said, setting the stage for yet another potential run in the 2027 presidential election, when he will be 81 years old.
Abubakar's defiant stance comes despite his multiple failed attempts over the past two decades, having run for the number one office six times but appearing on the ballot as a presidential candidate on three occasions — 2007, 2019, and 2023.
Undeterred by his past losses, Abubakar drew inspiration from former United States President Abraham Lincoln, who he said did not win the presidential vote on his first attempt. "Even the former US President Abraham Lincoln contested seven times before finally winning," he said.
Acknowledging the challenges facing his party, the PDP, Abubakar emphasized the need for unity and forging alliances with other political groups to increase their chances of winning the presidency in 2027. "However, given the current state of the PDP, it is clear that a single-handed effort will not suffice to win the election. Strong support and collaboration with other parties are required," he said.
Last week, Abubakar revealed that he was engaging Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, on the possibility of a merger, stating, "This is to anybody that thinks there is going to be a misunderstanding between me and Obi, let me assure you that not even a small issue is going to happen between us."
As the veteran politician gears up for another potential presidential run, his resilience and determination to lead Nigeria, despite his advanced age and past losses, have once again taken center stage in the country's political landscape.
