Former Kaduna Central senator, Shehu Sani, has said it would be nearly impossible for any younger aspirant to defeat Atiku Abubakar in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) primaries.
The comment came after Atiku, in a BBC Hausa interview, stated that he would withdraw from the 2027 presidential race if a younger candidate emerged victorious at the party primaries.
Atiku, who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in 2023, added that he would not only step aside but also support and mentor such a flagbearer.
“If I run for office, and a young man defeats me, I will accept that. The party we have joined now prioritises youth and women,” Atiku had said.
However, the former vice president clarified that he could not yet confirm whether he would run for the presidency again, stressing that the immediate focus was building the ADC into a strong political force.
READ ALSO: I’ll Step Aside if Younger Aspirant Wins ADC Presidential Ticket — Atiku
“This is only the beginning. Our priority is to establish the party and gain a strong following,” he said.
Reacting on Thursday, October 2, via his official X handle, Shehu Sani expressed doubts that Atiku could be unseated in a party primary.
He wrote, “His Excellency the Waziri reportedly said he would step aside if a younger candidate wins the primaries…
“The keyword here is PRIMARIES… It’s easier for a camel to pass through the hole of a needle than to beat the Waziri in primaries. Party delegates are a special breed of people.”