Atiku Abubakar Dismisses Age Concerns in Interview

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), addressed concerns regarding his age during a BBC Hausa interview published on Friday. Critics have suggested that his advancing years may hinder his ability to govern effectively if elected in 2027, as he would be nearly 80 by the time of the elections.

In response, Atiku questioned the basis of these concerns and asked the interviewer, "Do I look to you like someone who has reached 80 years of age?" He also referenced President Bola Tinubu's age for context. Beyond the age debate, Atiku rejected claims that he had become a divisive figure within the opposition coalition aiming to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress in 2027.

He acknowledged the departure of key figures like Peter Obi and his running mate Rabiu but maintained that he played a crucial role in forming the coalition and expressed optimism about a potential broader opposition alliance before the elections.