Fayose: Atiku has no basis to contest again — Nigerians craving younger leaders

Ayodele Fayose, a former governor of Ekiti, says Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president, should end his presidential ambition due to his advanced age.

Speaking on Sunday Politics, a Channels Television programme, Fayose said Nigerians are craving for a younger generation of leaders.

“I am sure, at this stage, with all due respect to him, he (Atiku) would rather want to step away from the politics of contesting elections again,” the ex-governor said.

“By the time Asiwaju finishes his term, Atiku Abubakar will probably be 80 or 81. So, what will be the attraction?

“We should leave the stage when the ovation is loudest. I respect him, and I think Nigerians are craving for a younger generation now more than ever before. So, on what basis will Atiku come and contest again?”

In May, the ex-VP told the Hausa service of the Voice of America that he will “keep contesting” for the Nigerian presidency as long as he is hale and hearty.

Abubakar, who is 77-years-old, was the standard-bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election.

The politician will be 81 by the time the next presidential election comes around.

Abubakar has run for the number one office six times but has been on the ballot as a presidential candidate on three occasions — 2007, 2019, and 2023.

The PDP flagbearer said he is consoled by the fact that former United States President Abraham Lincoln did not win the presidential vote at the first time of asking.

Speaking further, Fayose said the once formidable PDP structure has crumbled, while Peter Obi, presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 election, has gained prominence as the major opposition figure.

“As I always say, we can defeat the APC but when we don’t have a party again, how can we defeat them?” he asked.

“When we complain about the APC and we don’t have a party and you can say you will do this and that, but when Obi is the voice of the opposition now…

“The press will call Obi than call the PDP and when the publicity secretary is suspending people and vice-versa, so where is the party?”

The ex-governor described the current situation in the PDP as embarrassing. Fayose added that the PDP will require divine intervention.