By Ayodele Quadri, Lagos Times Correspondent
ABUJA, NIGERIA — Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed concerns regarding his age ahead of the 2027 presidential election, challenging critics to state whether his physical appearance or health suggest he is unfit to govern.
Speaking in an interview published by BBC Hausa on Friday, August 28, 2026, the presidential candidate pushed back against questions over whether reaching nearly 80 years of age by 2027 would affect his capacity for a four-year term.
Key Moments from the BBC Hausa Interview
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Challenging the Premise: Asked if his age would prove a barrier, Atiku initially referenced President Bola Tinubu’s age before turning the question back to the interviewer: “Do I look to you like someone who has reached 80 years of age?”
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Health & Mental Fitness: Atiku emphasized that he is not battling health challenges and argued that age should not be used to question his mental capacity or ambition to lead.
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Coalition & Opposition Alignment: Addressing claims that he has become an obstacle to opposition unity, Atiku asserted that he helped initiate the coalition movement. While acknowledging the departures of figures like Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, he maintained that the door remains open for broad opposition collaboration before 2027.
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Policy Positions: The interview follows Atiku’s recent pledge to restore the petrol subsidy if elected, alongside promises to address insecurity within a year and rebuild sub-regional ties with Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali.
