Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has declared that the 2027 presidential election will mark his final attempt at the nation’s highest office, describing the race as his “last outing” with the stakes higher than ever. The 79-year-old former vice president, who will turn 80 in 2026 and 81 by the 2027 poll, made the announcement during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme earlier this week.
When asked whether his age made the upcoming contest his last shot, Atiku replied unequivocally: “Certainly yes. Because the stakes are higher, because I believe that will be my last outing. So that’s incontrovertible.” The veteran politician, who has contested the presidency seven times across multiple platforms including the PDP, Action Congress and now the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said he represents both the past and future of the nation. He argued that inexperienced leadership at the top has contributed to governance failures in several states, insisting that young leaders require tutelage from the older generation to succeed.
Atiku, who served as vice president from 1999 to 2007 under Olusegun Obasanjo, maintained that his decades of experience remain critical to solving Nigeria’s challenges.
The ADC chieftain also said the party would prioritise a consensus candidate for the coalition ticket, adding that he would support any candidate, including former Anambra governor Peter Obi, if a consensus is reached. He ruled out any future ambition beyond 2027.
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