|
Listen to article
|
The former governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, has recommended that Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party, should let go of his ambitions to contest in future elections in Nigeria.
Throughout his political career, Atiku Abubakar has sought the presidency on six occasions—in 1993, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023—experiencing setbacks in each bid, including three losses in primary contests.
”I am sure at this stage with all due respect to him, he would rather want to stay away from politics of contesting elections again,” Fayose said on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics while speaking on the crisis in the PDP.
Suggesting that the appeal of the presidency might wane, the 63-year-old noted that the role could lose its excitement for someone aged 80 or older in the forthcoming election cycle.
”By the time Asiwaju(Bola Tinubu) will finish, Atiku Abubakar will probably be 80 or 81 so what will be the attraction?
”We should leave the stage when the ovation is loudest, I respect him and I think Nigerians are craving for a younger generation than ever before so on what basis will Atiku come and contest again,” he said.
Read also: PDP Govs Supporting Wike Are All Traitors – Atiku’s Aide
Although he harbors concerns about the former vice president entering the race for the 2027 presidential elections, Atiku holds a positive outlook that his seventh attempt may be the charm he needs.
In response to whether he would consider another candidacy, the 77-year-old told Voice of America Hausa in May, “God willing.”
He added that he won’t back down from running for President “As long as God gives me strength, good health, and long life”.
“A former President of America, Abraham Lincoln, didn’t he vie seven times?” he asked rhetorically.
Speaking on the chances of his party, challenging the APC, Fayose noted that the structures that once made the party great have collapsed and the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections Peter Obi has become a more recognisable figure in the fight to oust the current administration.
”As I always say we can defeat the APC but when we don’t have a party again how can we defeat them,” he said
”When we complain about the APC and we don’t have a party and you can say you will do this and that, but when Obi is the voice of the opposition now. The press will call Obi than call the PDP and when the Publicity Secretary is suspending people and vice-versa, so where is the party?”
