By David Lawani, Abuja
Former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), has questioned former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s decision to seek the presidency in 2027, arguing that Nigeria needs younger, competent leaders capable of handling the demands of the office.
Abdulsalami, who is in his 80s, said Atiku, whom he described as his “very good friend”, is a year older than him and should consider contributing to national development through peace-building rather than seeking what he described as the “hectic job” of the presidency.
The former military ruler spoke against the backdrop of renewed calls for generational change in Nigeria’s political leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He argued that the demands of the presidency require considerable physical and mental energy, making age an important factor in determining who should lead the country.
“I am in my 80s, and Atiku Abubakar is a year older than me. If we are serious, I don’t know why the likes of my very good friend, Atiku Abubakar, should be running for the hectic job of a president instead of playing the role of being a member of the Nigeria election peace accord committee,” Abdulsalami said.
He said Nigeria would benefit from having leaders who combine competence with relative youth, rather than continuing to rely heavily on politicians in their 70s and beyond.
“For this country to grow, we need competent men in their 50s and 60s, not even 70s,” he said.
Abdulsalami also referred to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the demands of governance could make even the incumbent wish he were younger.
The former Head of State, however, acknowledged that Atiku remained constitutionally entitled to contest the presidency.
“Anyway, it is within his constitutional rights to run,” he said.
Atiku, who served as vice president between 1999 and 2007, remains a prominent figure in Nigeria’s opposition politics and has expressed interest in contesting the 2027 presidential election.
Abdulsalami’s intervention is likely to intensify the debate over age, competence, experience and generational transition as political parties and aspirants position themselves ahead of the 2027 presidential contest.
