Former governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose has said Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president, should draw the curtain on his political ambition because of his advanced age.
Fayose, whilst speaking on Sunday Politics, a Channels Television programme, said Nigerians are yearning 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,” the ex-governor said.
“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?”
In May, Atiku Abubakar, during an interview on the Hausa service of the Voice of America, said he will “keep contesting” for the seat of Nigeria president so far he is hale and hearty.
Abubakar, who is presently 77-years-old, was the flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 presidential election.
He will be 81 when it is time for the next presidential election.
The PDP chieftain has run for the Nigerian presidency six times but has been on the ballot as a presidential candidate on three occasions — 2007, 2019, and 2023.
Abubakar said his consolation is the fact that former United States President Abraham Lincoln did not win the presidential election at the first attempt.
Fayose further said the once formidable PDP structure has collapsed, while Peter Obi, presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 election, has gained influence 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?” he asked.
“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?”
Fayose described the ongoing situation in the PDP as embarrassing. He also said that the PDP’s revival will require divine intervention.