Atiku Fuels 2027 Race with Bold Promises and Tinubu Age Claims

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 election, has recently made a series of significant claims and outlined his policy positions in various interviews and public statements. A central and controversial assertion by Atiku is his claim that President Bola Tinubu is 90 years old, a statement he made during an interview with the BBC on Friday. Atiku maintained that he possesses evidence to support this claim and is prepared to present it in court if necessary. This assertion came even as an interviewer pointed out that President Tinubu was not yet 80.

Beyond his allegations regarding the incumbent president's age, Atiku Abubakar also addressed the persistent questions surrounding his repeated attempts to secure the presidency. He explained that his continued candidacy is a matter of constitutional right, driven by his robust health, strength, agility, and a deep sense of experience, competence, and patriotism. Atiku recounted his challenging political journey, which began with staunch opposition to military rule. He highlighted instances where he ran for governor four times, only to be disqualified by military regimes, and even faced an attempt on his life, leading to a period of exile. He emphasized that he has "never found anything easy in my life" and that multiple presidential contests are not unusual for his career.

Responding to concerns about his own age, as he would be almost 80 by the time of the 2027 election, Atiku dismissed critics by asking, "Do I look to you like someone who has reached 80 years of age?" He underscored his belief that his physical and mental well-being makes him a viable candidate to lead the country, especially when juxtaposed with his claim about President Tinubu's alleged age and health.

On critical national issues, Atiku Abubakar offered strong criticisms and policy proposals. Regarding Nigeria's pervasive insecurity, he squarely blamed the current government, citing its perceived failures in defense and policing, as well as an "irresponsibility" and "lack of attention to our defense needs." He specifically pointed to an undermanned defense sector, insufficient security personnel, and inadequate equipment. Atiku recalled raising concerns about the low number of police officers in Nigeria compared to other nations like Egypt during his time in government. He confidently pledged that, if elected, he would begin to tackle and control the insurgency and insecurity across the country within one year.

The issue of petrol subsidy removal also featured prominently in Atiku's discussions. While he did not oppose the removal itself, he vehemently criticized the Federal Government's management of the funds saved from the policy. Atiku questioned the whereabouts of the money, implying misappropriation, and insisted that Nigerians had yet to see sufficient benefits. He argued that the savings should have been channeled into poverty reduction, education improvement, tackling insecurity, and creating opportunities for young Nigerians. Furthermore, Atiku pledged to restore the petrol subsidy if elected president and vowed to recover any funds allegedly stolen from the scheme, asserting that proper utilization of savings would have prevented the current hardship.

Addressing economic infrastructure and trade, Atiku highlighted two key areas: border policies and port development. He severely criticized the 2019 border closures, blaming them for gutting transborder trade with Nigeria's northern neighbors and driving countless young traders into bankruptcy and unemployment. Atiku promised to reopen these borders to revive legitimate businesses and associated livelihoods. Concerning ports, he revealed efforts during his last campaign to discuss with European shippers and ship development companies the potential for developing ports in the South and South-East. He illustrated the current logistical inefficiencies with his own business, noting that transporting a container from Lagos to Yola takes two months due to underdeveloped southern ports and poor roads, whereas utilizing a port like Calabar or Port Harcourt would reduce the transit time to just 24 hours. He asserted these proposals were not new but a direct response to long-standing Nigerian concerns about trade costs and port imbalances.

Politically, Atiku also shed light on his role in mobilizing opposition politicians for the 2027 election. He rejected claims that he had become a stumbling block to an opposition coalition, asserting that he was the initiator of the movement. He acknowledged that while most politicians involved in the coalition's formation remained together, key figures like former Anambra State governor Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso had since left the group. Despite these departures, Atiku expressed optimism about the possibility of opposition politicians reconciling and working together, stating, "Nothing is impossible, by God's grace." Finally, Atiku explained his decision not to sign a recent peace accord involving opposition politicians, questioning its value when the incumbent government was not included in the process.