Publisher and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dele Momodu, has dismissed growing criticism of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s 2027 presidential ambition, describing the arguments against him as unfair and misleading.
Momodu reacted on Saturday to comments made by activist and Peter Obi supporter, Zekeri Idris Jnr, who had called on Atiku to withdraw from the race on account of his age. Idris argued that Atiku, who would be about 80 years old by 2027, should step aside for younger aspirants.
In a post shared on X, Momodu faulted the campaign against Atiku, insisting that critics were focusing on the wrong target instead of addressing the country’s leadership challenges. He described the attacks as “unbridled chicanery” and a distraction from more pressing national issues.
According to him, rather than directing energy toward opposition figures, critics should hold the current administration accountable for governance outcomes.
Momodu further defended Atiku by referencing global political leaders who assumed or remained in office at advanced ages. He mentioned former United States Presidents Donald Trump, Joe Biden, and Senator Bernie Sanders, as well as former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, South Africa’s Nelson Mandela, former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, Liberia’s current President Joseph Boakai, former US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, and Nigeria’s former President Muhammadu Buhari.
He argued that age alone should not be used as a disqualifying factor, stating that many of the leaders listed above were able to serve effectively due to their experience and capacity. “What disqualifies Alhaji Atiku Abubakar?” Momodu questioned.
The comments came in response to a viral video in which Idris urged Atiku’s supporters to persuade him to abandon his presidential ambition. Idris maintained that Nigeria’s current challenges required younger leadership and insisted that voters would not support an 80-year-old candidate regardless of his running mate.
He also urged Atiku to consider playing a unifying elder statesman role by supporting younger political figures such as Peter Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, instead of contesting against them.
Atiku Abubakar, who was the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election and lost to President Bola Tinubu, is reportedly considering another presidential run under the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.
