Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has disclosed that the 2027 presidential election will be his final attempt at Nigeria’s highest office, a declaration that has stirred mixed reactions across the country.
Atiku, who is expected to turn 80 in 2027 and has contested for the presidency multiple times since 1992, made the revelation during an interview on Prime Time on Arise Television on Wednesday.
“The 2027 election will be my last outing,” the former Vice President stated.
His announcement comes amid growing political discussions ahead of the 2027 general elections and raises fresh questions about leadership, experience, and generational transition in Nigeria’s political landscape.
*Atiku Defends Experience Over Age*
When asked why Nigerians should still consider him after several previous attempts, particularly given his age, Atiku insisted that Nigeria’s core challenge remains poor leadership, not age.
He argued that his experience as a former Vice President and former military governor gives him a significant advantage in addressing the country’s governance challenges.
“There is a clear and stark difference, take the cases if state governors in a number of state being headed by relatively young people and failing woefully simply because at the apex, they do not have capable and experienced president to guide them and to give them the benefit of his experience.
That’s why we have been having a number of woeful leadership in a number if state because they are being headed by inexperienced young men,” he said.
*Criticism of Leadership Across Administrations*
Atiku also pointed to what he described as leadership shortcomings in previous administrations, including that of former President Goodluck Jonathan, attributing some of the challenges faced during that period to inexperience at the highest level.
According to him, Nigeria requires seasoned leadership capable of mentoring younger leaders and guiding governance at both federal and state levels.
*Calls for Leadership Training for Young Nigerians*
Despite his emphasis on experience, Atiku stressed the importance of preparing younger Nigerians for leadership roles, recommending structured leadership training to build future leaders.
He noted that while young leaders bring energy and innovation, experience remains critical in navigating complex governance issues.
The former Vice President’s declaration that 2027 will be his final presidential bid is expected to shape political calculations across parties, as stakeholders begin early positioning ahead of what promises to be another defining election in Nigeria’s democratic journey.