Atiku Fires Back at Age Critics, Says ‘Do I Look Like Someone Who Has Reached 80?’

• Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed concerns about his age ahead of the 2027 presidential election, challenging critics to judge whether he appears to be approaching 80.

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has dismissed concerns about his age ahead of the 2027 presidential election, challenging critics to judge whether he appears to be approaching 80.

Atiku made the remarks in an interview with BBC Hausa published on Friday while responding to concerns over whether his age could affect his ability to provide effective leadership if elected president.

The interviewer pointed out that Atiku would be “almost or nearly 80 years old” by the time Nigerians vote in 2027 and asked what he would say to those who consider his age too advanced for the presidency.

Responding, Atiku referenced President Bola Tinubu’s age before challenging the premise of the question.

“You went and voted for someone who is 80, I mean 90 years old. How old is President Bola, 90?” he asked.

When the interviewer corrected him, saying Tinubu was not yet 80, Atiku replied, “Do I look to you like someone who has reached 80 years of age?”

The former vice president’s comments come as he intensifies preparations for the 2027 presidential election and seeks to rally opposition politicians behind a coalition aimed at challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Atiku also rejected claims that he had become an obstacle to the opposition coalition, insisting that he was instrumental in bringing the group together.

“That is a baseless accusation levelled against me. I was actually the one who initiated the coalition. Nobody else…I, Atiku Abubakar, started it,” he said.

According to him, most of the politicians who started the coalition have remained together despite disagreements among some major opposition figures.

He identified NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, as the two major opposition figures who had left the group.

“It was just Kwankwaso… he was with us at first, then he left,” Atiku said.

Asked about Obi, he added, “Yes, and also Peter Obi. It’s just them, but the rest of us are still here continuing our work.”

Atiku, however, said there was still a possibility that opposition politicians could work together before the 2027 election.

“Nothing is impossible, by God’s grace.

“One day you’ll see… we have agreed to work together to save this country and its poor citizens, Insha Allah,” he said.

The former vice president also criticised the Federal Government’s handling of the removal of the petrol subsidy, questioning how the savings from the policy had been utilised.

“I did not oppose the removal of the oil subsidy, but where is the money? Where did it go?” Atiku asked.

He said the funds were supposed to be used to reduce poverty, improve education, address insecurity and create opportunities for young Nigerians.

“Where is the money now? It seems they are just stealing it,” he said.

Atiku also promised to restore the petrol subsidy if elected president and demanded that anyone who had stolen the money refund it.

“If elected, I will bring back the oil subsidy, and whoever stole the money must refund it,” he said.

He argued that the subsidy could have been removed without causing the level of hardship Nigerians are experiencing if the savings had been properly deployed.

“The government successfully removed the subsidy, but we do not know where the money went.

“If they had used the money for development, to solve security problems, for education, and to create opportunities for the youth, it would be different,” Atiku said.

The former vice president also defended his decision not to sign a peace accord involving opposition politicians, questioning why the incumbent government was not included in the exercise.

He said, “Why is it always only us in the opposition that you bring to sign, but you never bring the incumbent government to sign as well?”

Atiku added that he saw little value in the exercise if the ruling party was excluded.

“So, if you don’t bring the incumbent government to come and sign, I see no point in going to sign it,” he said.