Trump, Mandela, Biden ran at old age — Momodu fires back at Atiku’s critics

Chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Dele Momodu, has defended former Vice President Atiku Abubakar against calls to step aside from the 2027 presidential race.

Mr Momodu, in a post on X on Saturday, dismissed criticisms of Mr Atiku’s age as “unbridled chicanery,” insisting that age should not be a barrier to leadership.

He was reacting to comments by activist Mr Zekeri Idris Jnr, who had argued that Mr Atiku, projected to be 80 by 2027, should yield to younger candidates.

“Instead of making videos against the ruling government, you’re dissipating energy on a man who has never wronged your preferred candidate,” Mr Momodu said.

Age debate

Defending his position, Mr Momodu cited several global leaders who held office at advanced ages, including Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Muhammadu Buhari, Nelson Mandela, Nana Akufo-Addo, Hillary Clinton, and Joseph Boakai.

“They made good use of their age and experience for the betterment of their nations,” he said.

“What disqualifies Alhaji Atiku Abubakar please!”

Critics’ position

Mr Idris, in a viral video, argued that Nigeria’s challenges require younger leadership and insisted that voters would reject an elderly candidate.

“If he likes, let him go and bring angels from heaven as his running mate… We won’t vote for an 80-year-old man,” he said.

He also urged Mr Atiku to adopt an elder statesman role by supporting younger politicians, including Mr Peter Obi and Mr Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Mr Atiku, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the Peoples Democratic Party and lost to President Bola Tinubu, is reportedly considering another bid in 2027, potentially under the ADC platform.