Fayose counsels Atiku, urges ex-VP to stop contesting elections

Fayose advised Atiku to leave the stage when the “ovation is loudest”, adding that he’ll be 80 or 81 in 2027

By Kehinde Okeowo

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose has advised former Vice President and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to stop aspiring for political offices. 

Atiku unsuccessfully ran for the position of the President of Nigeria in 1993, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023, with three losses occurring during the primaries.

Despite this, the body-language of the Adamawa born politician, his aides and political associates suggest he still intends to contest the 2027 presidential election.

The 77-year-old, in an interview with Voice of America (VOA) Hausa earlier this year said “God willing”, when asked whether he would try again.

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However, while discussing the crisis in the major opposition party, PDP on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Fayose urged Atiku to stop contesting. 

He counselled him to leave the stage when the “ovation is loudest”, adding that he’ll be 80 or 81, when President Tinubu’s first tenure expires.

He said, ”I am sure at this stage with all due respect to him, he would rather want to stay away from politics of contesting elections again.

“By the time Asiwaju(Bola Tinubu) will finish, Atiku Abubakar will probably be 80 or 81 so what will be the attraction?

”We should leave the stage when the ovation is loudest, I respect him and I think Nigerians are craving for a younger generation than ever before so on what basis will Atiku come and contest again.”