Publisher and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Dele Momodu, has rejected growing calls for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to withdraw from the 2027 presidential contest, describing the push as “unbridled chicanery.”
Momodu made the remark on Saturday in response to a post by activist and supporter of Peter Obi, Zekeri Idris Jnr, who had argued that Atiku should step aside for younger aspirants.
Idris had also pointed to Atiku’s age—projected to be 80 by 2027—as a reason he should no longer contest for the presidency.
Reacting via his X handle, Momodu insisted that critics were focusing their energy on the wrong target instead of addressing the performance of the current administration.
“Instead of making videos against the ruling government, you’re dissipating energy on a man who has never wronged your preferred candidate,” the statement read.
He further defended Atiku by referencing several global leaders who held top political offices at advanced ages. Among those he mentioned were former United States Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden, US Senator Bernie Sanders, former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, South Africa’s Nelson Mandela, former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, former US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, and Liberian President Joseph Boakai. According to him, they all “made good use of their age and experience for the betterment of their nations”.
READ ALSO: Dele Momodu: Praise Tinubu If He Cuts Spending, Blasts Okupe for Defending Profligate Govt
Momodu also questioned the argument against Atiku’s candidacy, asking, “What disqualifies Alhaji Atiku Abubakar please!”
The exchange followed a viral video in which Idris, dressed in green traditional attire, appealed to Atiku’s supporters to persuade him to abandon his 2027 ambition.
In the nearly two-and-a-half-minute video, Idris argued that Nigeria’s current realities require younger leadership.
He also insisted that no young Nigerian would vote for an 80-year-old candidate, regardless of the choice of running mate.
“If he likes, let him go and bring angels from heaven as his running mate — not even Peter Obi. We won’t vote for an 80-year-old man,” Idris said.
Idris further urged Atiku to assume the role of a statesman and help unify younger political figures such as Peter Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, instead of joining the race against them.
Atiku, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the Peoples Democratic Party and lost to President Bola Tinubu, is reportedly considering a move to the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Momodu Defends Atiku, Cites Trump, Mandela, Biden On Age Debate
Publisher and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Dele Momodu, has rejected growing calls for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to withdraw from the 2027 presidential contest, describing the push as “unbridled chicanery.”
Momodu made the remark on Saturday in response to a post by activist and supporter of Peter Obi, Zekeri Idris Jnr, who had argued that Atiku should step aside for younger aspirants.
Idris had also pointed to Atiku’s age—projected to be 80 by 2027—as a reason he should no longer contest for the presidency.
Reacting via his X handle, Momodu insisted that critics were focusing their energy on the wrong target instead of addressing the performance of the current administration.
“Instead of making videos against the ruling government, you’re dissipating energy on a man who has never wronged your preferred candidate,” the statement read.
He further defended Atiku by referencing several global leaders who held top political offices at advanced ages. Among those he mentioned were former United States Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden, US Senator Bernie Sanders, former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, South Africa’s Nelson Mandela, former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, former US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, and Liberian President Joseph Boakai. According to him, they all “made good use of their age and experience for the betterment of their nations”.
READ ALSO: Dele Momodu: Praise Tinubu If He Cuts Spending, Blasts Okupe for Defending Profligate Govt
Momodu also questioned the argument against Atiku’s candidacy, asking, “What disqualifies Alhaji Atiku Abubakar please!”
The exchange followed a viral video in which Idris, dressed in green traditional attire, appealed to Atiku’s supporters to persuade him to abandon his 2027 ambition.
In the nearly two-and-a-half-minute video, Idris argued that Nigeria’s current realities require younger leadership.
He also insisted that no young Nigerian would vote for an 80-year-old candidate, regardless of the choice of running mate.
“If he likes, let him go and bring angels from heaven as his running mate — not even Peter Obi. We won’t vote for an 80-year-old man,” Idris said.
Idris further urged Atiku to assume the role of a statesman and help unify younger political figures such as Peter Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, instead of joining the race against them.
Atiku, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the Peoples Democratic Party and lost to President Bola Tinubu, is reportedly considering a move to the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.