2027: I’ll keep contesting for presidency – Atiku vows

The 2023 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has vowed to keep contesting as long as he’s healthy.

Atiku spoke during an interview on the Hausa service of the Voice of America in Abuja.

Asked if he will contest again, Atiku said: “Of course, I will keep contesting again and again as long as I am alive and healthy.

“Even the former US President Abraham Lincoln contested seven times before finally winning.

“However, given the current state of the PDP, it is clear that a single-handed effort will not suffice to win the election. Strong support and collaboration with other parties are required.”

The former Vice President will be 81 by the time the next presidential election comes around in 2027.

Atiku has run for the presidency six times but has been on the ballot as a presidential candidate on three occasions — 2007, 2019, and 2023.

Abubakar said he is consoled by the fact that former United States President Abraham Lincoln did not win the presidential vote on the first time of asking.

He also spoke about the crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying the party needs to be united and forge alliances with other political groups to win the presidential election in 2027.

This is coming amid speculation of him forming a coalition with other political parties.

Last week, Atiku had met with his counterpart from the Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

“This is to anybody that thinks there is going to be a misunderstanding between me and Obi, let me assure you that not even a small issue is going to happen between us.

“Also, we are going to be behind anybody that will be chosen to represent us in the forthcoming elections,” he said about the meeting.