A chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Dele Momodu, has tackled a former governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, for asking former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar not to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Recall that on Sunday, Mr Fayose had asked Mr Abubakar to allow younger people fly the party’s ticket in the next general election.
He said the former vice president would be 81 in 2027 and too old to occupy the exalted seat.
But Mr Momodu, who is also a former presidential aspirant, lampooned Mr Abubakar’s critics, saying age could not be an automatic qualification or disqualification in politics.
According to him, only God and destiny will determine whether Mr Abubakar will achieve his lifelong presidential ambition.
The PDP chieftain cited U.S. President Joe Biden and Donald Trump as examples of politicians who became presidents at an advanced age.
He said: “What has been the impact of these younger people who said they have been in politics? Go and check their states.
“What have they done for the amount of money made available to them? Age cannot be an automatic qualification or disqualification in politics.
“It is up to God and destiny. I am a child of destiny, and that is why I have contentment. If Alhaji Atiku decides to run, good luck to him. If he doesn’t want to run, no problem. But for anybody to muzzle him… why are they afraid of him?,” Mr Momodu asked.
On whether Mr Abubakar would be a threat to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, Mr Momodu said: “I’m sure they [Abubakar’s critics] believe so. I know those who believe that he is the only one right now.
“Abubakar will be a threat if he is able to galvanise a mega political party. He will be a threat,” Mr Momodu added.
The PDP chieftain said Mr Abubakar stands a chance in 2027 if the, “mood of the nation is overwhelmingly opposed to the current leader”.
