Former Vice President and ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has defended his decision to contest the 2027 presidential election, insisting that his age, political history and previous attempts at the presidency should not undermine his constitutional right to seek office.
Atiku also claimed that President Bola Tinubu is 90 years old and alleged that the President is not healthy or fit to continue in office.
Speaking on his presidential ambition, Atiku said he remains physically fit and capable of serving the country.
“We have a president who is 90 years old now and who is sick, and I am healthy. I am strong. So why would I not make my services available to my fellow countrymen?” he said.
When reminded that Tinubu is not 90 years old, Atiku responded: “Well, I have evidence, I have evidence that he is. And I will present it in court.”
The former vice president also dismissed concerns over his repeated attempts to contest the presidency, describing his political journey as one marked by persistent challenges.
Atiku said he had contested for governor on four occasions, alleging that he was repeatedly disqualified by military authorities during Nigeria’s transition to democracy because of his opposition to military rule.
He recalled that one of the attempts culminated in an alleged plot on his life, forcing him into exile.
“I’ve never found anything easy in my life,” Atiku said.
Defending his continued presidential ambition, he maintained that seeking the presidency multiple times does not diminish his constitutional rights.
“It is my constitutional right. I am strong. I am healthy. I am agile. Why do you bother about my constitutional rights?” he asked.
Asked why he believes he remains the best candidate for the presidency, Atiku said the state of the country was a major reason for his decision to contest.
“Because things are not going right. Things are not going right,” he said.
He added that his experience, competence and patriotism would enable him to contribute meaningfully to the country’s development.
“I have the experience, I have the competence, I have the patriotism. So why would I not make all this available to the service of my country?” he said.
On the country’s security challenges, Atiku criticised the level of manpower and equipment available to the defence forces, arguing that the military is currently undermanned and inadequately equipped.
“The defence is undermanned. In other words, we have not enough boots on ground in this country. There are not good equipment,” he said.
Atiku pledged that, if elected, his administration would prioritise strengthening the country’s security architecture, promising significant improvements within its first year in office.
“Within one year they should be able to see that, and believe me, within one year we can control this insurgency and insecurity that is all over the place,” he said.
