Dele Momodu, publisher of Ovation magazine and a prominent figure in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has said that whether Atiku Abubakar becomes Nigeria’s president in 2027 will be determined by God and destiny.... CLICK TO READ THE FULL NEWS HERE▶▶
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Momodu addressed criticisms of Abubakar’s presidential ambitions, particularly from former Ekiti State governor Ayodele Fayose, who recently urged the former vice president to step aside due to his age. Fayose argued that Nigerians are now seeking younger leaders.
Abubakar, currently 77, will be 81 by the time of the next presidential election. Having contested the presidency six times, and appearing on the ballot in 2007, 2019, and 2023, there is growing speculation that he may once again seek the PDP’s ticket in 2027.
Responding to Fayose’s comments, Momodu stated that no one has the right to dictate how Abubakar chooses to pursue his political career. He questioned why critics seem threatened by the former vice president and pointed out that many of these critics failed to support younger candidates in the 2023 elections.
“Why are they afraid of him?” Momodu asked. He also dismissed age as a barrier, citing examples of older leaders like U.S. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, who have held office in their later years. “Age cannot be an automatic qualification or disqualification in politics,” he added.
Momodu argued that leadership should be judged by performance rather than age, questioning what younger politicians have achieved with the resources available to them.
“If Atiku decides to run, good luck to him. If he doesn’t, no problem. But no one should try to muzzle him,” he said.
When asked if Abubakar would be a threat to President Bola Tinubu in 2027, Momodu suggested that those criticizing Abubakar believe so, noting that if the former vice president can form a strong political coalition, he could be a formidable contender. “If the mood of the nation is overwhelmingly opposed to the current leader, Atiku stands a chance in 2027,” he concluded.
Background
Atiku Abubakar, a seasoned Nigerian politician and former vice president, has been a dominant figure in the country’s political landscape for decades. He has contested for the presidency six times, and although he has never won, his persistent ambition has made him a focal point in every electoral cycle. Abubakar served as vice president under former President Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999 to 2007 and has since remained a prominent figure in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
His most recent attempt at the presidency was in the 2023 election, where he ran against President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Despite his loss, there has been widespread speculation about his intention to run again in 2027, which would make him 81 years old at the time of the election. This has sparked debates around his age, with some critics, such as former Ekiti governor Ayodele Fayose, urging him to step aside in favor of younger candidates.
The 2023 election cycle saw a wave of support for younger politicians, including Peter Obi of the Labour Party, who gained substantial momentum among Nigeria’s youth. However, despite this generational shift in political support, some still view Abubakar as a significant political force capable of mounting a serious challenge in 2027, especially if he is able to consolidate a broad coalition.
In this context, Dele Momodu, a close ally of Abubakar and an influential figure in Nigerian media and politics, has spoken out in defense of Abubakar’s right to run for office. Momodu’s remarks come as part of a larger conversation about the role of older politicians in Nigeria’s future and the potential impact of age on leadership.
