Just days after calling it quits on his long-term ambition of being a Nigerian president, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has again rubbished his personal statement saying he will continue to contest for the number one job as long as he’s healthy.
Atiku is 77 years and would be 81 years by 2027, when it would be time to elect another president.
Tinubu, all things being equal, is eligible to contest for a second term and would most certainly have a go.
Few days ago, Atiku, who has been mocked for being a serial contestant said he would end his ambition of contesting for the presidency if his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chose his erstwhile running mate, Peter Obi, who’s in the Labour Party as the presidential candidate.
He said Nigeria had drifted so rapidly and blamed president Bola Tinubu for the worst turn of events.
He said only a united opposition party can end the reign of the APC, which he described as failure.
While Atiku’s call for Obi to be made his party’s presidential candidate in conjunction with other parties is still the hottest political topic for discussion, he has beaten an immediate retreat stating he will “keep contesting” as long as he is hale and hearty.
Speaking during an interview on the Hausa service of the Voice of America in Abuja, Atiku said, “Of course, I will keep contesting again and again as long as I am alive and healthy.”
Atiku has contested six times for the Nigerian presidency although he has been on the ballot as a presidential candidate on three occasions, 2007, 2019, and 2023, it’s unclear what informed the latest sharp change of heart.
He justified his latest change of heart by stating, “Even the former US President Abraham Lincoln contested seven times before finally winning,” he said.
“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 stated in reference to a coalition.
But in the last interview on the Hausa Service of the BBC, he rejected there would be crisis of selection of who becomes the coalition candidate in 2027, saying, “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,” Abubakar said.
“Also, we are going to be behind anybody that will be chosen to represent us in the forthcoming elections.
“I have made it clear in my previous speeches that if our parties are going to merge to agree on a candidate from the south-east, as long as he is qualified, we will allow it,” he added.