2027 Presidency: Abdulsalami Questions Atiku’s Bid

….Says Nigeria Needs Leaders in Their 50s, 60s

Former Military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), has questioned the decision of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to seek the presidency in the 2027 general elections, arguing that Nigeria needs younger leaders to take on the demanding responsibility of governing the country.

Abdulsalami, who disclosed that he is in his 80s and that Atiku is a year older, said he was surprised that his “very good friend” was still seeking the presidency rather than contributing to the country through other roles, including membership of the Nigeria Election Peace Accord Committee.

According to him, the presidency is a highly demanding responsibility that requires leaders in their 50s and 60s.

“I am in my 80s and Atiku Abubakar is a year older than me. If we are serious, I don’t know why the likes of my very good friend, Atiku Abubakar, should be running for the hectic job of a president instead of playing the role of being a member of the Nigeria Election Peace Accord Committee,” he said.

The former military ruler stressed the need for Nigeria to encourage competent younger leaders to take responsibility for the country’s future.

“For this country to grow, we need competent men in their 50s and 60s, not even 70s,” he said.
Abdulsalami also noted that even President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is currently in his 70s, would perhaps prefer to have the energy associated with being in his 60s.

“Even the current president wish he was still in his 60s,” he added.

Despite his reservations about Atiku’s age and the demands of the presidency, Abdulsalami acknowledged that the former vice president has a constitutional right to contest the election.
“Anyways, it is within his constitutional rights to run,” he stated.

His comments are likely to fuel further debate over age, experience and generational leadership as political parties and presidential aspirants position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.