Senator Victor Umeh has urged former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to reconsider his 2027 presidential ambition and instead support younger politicians preparing for the race.
Umeh, who represents Anambra Central Senatorial District and is a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the appeal on Monday, April 20, 2026, during an appearance on Prime Time on Arise Television.
His reaction follows Atiku’s recent declaration that the 2027 election would be his final presidential bid, while maintaining that younger Nigerians should first gain experience under senior political leaders.
Atiku, one of Nigeria’s most persistent presidential contenders, has run in 2007, 2019 and 2023. Umeh, however, said he expected Atiku to begin a transition into mentorship rather than returning to the contest.
While acknowledging his experience and political weight, Umeh warned that repeated bids by senior opposition figures could weaken efforts to build unity ahead of 2027.
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“He has been in the race for a long time. We respect him, but there comes a point where leaders should support younger people,” he said.
He cautioned that prolonged rivalry within opposition ranks could hurt cohesion and reduce their competitiveness against the ruling party.
Umeh also dismissed claims that a recent meeting between Peter Obi and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi involved discussions on stepping down from the presidential race. He described the meeting as routine political consultations common among aspirants.
According to him, the engagement did not involve any withdrawal talks but reflected ongoing political networking ahead of the 2027 elections.
The comments highlight growing debates within opposition circles over succession, unity and strategy as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general election.