Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Former governor of Ekiti State,Ayodele Fayose,has said the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, should end his political ambition due to his advanced age.
Speaking on ‘Sunday Politics,’ a Channels Television programme, Fayose said Nigerians are craving for a younger generation of leaders.
“I am sure, at this stage, with all due respect to him, he (Atiku) would rather want to step away from the politics of contesting elections again.
“By the time Asiwaju finishes his term, 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 now more than ever before. So, on what basis will Atiku come and contest again?” he said.
Atiku had during a recent interview with Voice of America Hausa Service, said he will “keep contesting” for the Nigerian presidency as long as he is hale and hearty.
The former vice president would be 81 by the time the next presidential election comes around in 2027.
Atiku has run for the number one office six times but has been on the ballot as a presidential candidate on three occasions — 2007, 2019, and 2023.
He had said he was consoled by the fact that former United States President, Abraham Lincoln, did not win the presidential vote at the first time of asking.
Speaking further, Fayose said the once formidable PDP structure has crumbled, while Peter Obi, presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 election, has gained prominence as the major opposition figure.
“As I always say, we can defeat the APC, but when we don’t have a party again, how can we defeat them?
“When we complain about the APC and we don’t have a party and you can say you will do this and that, but when Obi is the voice of the opposition now……
“The press will call Obi than call the PDP, and when the publicity secretary is suspending people and vice-versa, so where is the party?” he said.
The former governor described PDP’s current situation as embarrassing.