Dele Momodu, a former presidential hopeful in Nigeria, has stated that only God and destiny can decide the future of Atiku Abubakar’s political career. Momodu made this comment in response to Ayodele Fayose, a former Governor of Ekiti State, who advised Atiku not to contest any future elections in Nigeria.
Atiku Abubakar, who was Vice President under President Olusegun Obasanjo, has run for president six times: in 1993, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023, but he has never succeeded. Despite these repeated losses, there are signs that Atiku might seek another opportunity to contest in the 2027 elections, once again as a candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In an interview on Channels Television’s program Politics Today, Dele Momodu defended Atiku’s potential 2027 candidacy. Momodu argued that age should not be used as a reason to stop someone from running for political office. He challenged critics, asking, “What has been the contribution of younger politicians? What have they achieved with the resources they have received?”
Momodu also compared Atiku’s situation to that of Joe Biden, who became President of the United States after Barack Obama, despite concerns about his age. “Age cannot automatically qualify or disqualify anyone from politics. If Atiku decides to run, it’s his choice. Why are people afraid of him?” he asked.
When asked whether Atiku would be a threat to President Bola Tinubu’s bid for re-election in 2027, Momodu didn’t directly answer but suggested that those who fear Atiku’s influence see him as a potential threat. He noted that Atiku could challenge Tinubu if he can gather support from a major political party.
Atiku’s future in politics remains uncertain, but according to Dele Momodu, only God and destiny will ultimately decide his path forward.