Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has indicated that the 2027 presidential election may mark his last bid for Nigeria’s top office, citing both his age and the weight of the contest.
Atiku, who flew the flag of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 election, made the disclosure during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday evening.
Responding to a question about turning 80 by 2027 and whether it raises the stakes, he acknowledged the significance of the moment.
“Certainly yes, because the stakes are higher and I believe that will be my last outing,” he said.
The former vice president has had a long and persistent presidential ambition, dating back decades. His first attempt came during the 1993 primaries under the Social Democratic Party, where he stepped down for the late Moshood Abiola.
He later contested in 2007 on the platform of the Action Congress, losing to the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. In 2011, he ran under the Action Congress of Nigeria but was defeated by former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Returning to the PDP, Atiku contested again in 2019, losing to former President Muhammadu Buhari. In 2023, he once more secured the party’s ticket but was defeated by incumbent President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress.
Despite the repeated setbacks, Atiku has consistently championed restructuring, economic liberalisation, and private sector-led growth.
His latest remarks are expected to intensify conversations around the 2027 race, as early political alignments begin to take shape.
