Dele Momodu, publisher of Ovation Magazine, has pushed back at critics of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, contesting the 2027 presidential election.
Momodu spoke in an interview on Channels Television against the backdrop of calls from some highly placed Nigerians that Atiku should drop his presidential ambition because of age.
There have been speculations that Abubakar will seek the PDP’s presidential ticket for the umpteenth time.
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On Sunday, Ayodele Fayose, a former governor of Ekiti, said Nigerians are craving for a younger generation of leaders.
He requested the former vice president who will be 81 in 2027 to halt his serial presidential contests.
But Momodu, a former presidential aspirant and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), wondered why critics of Abubakar are scared of his presidential ambition.
According to him, only God and destiny will determine whether Atiku achieved his lifelong presidential ambition come 2027.
Asked to react to Fayose’s comments on Abubakar’s presidential ambition, the Ovation publisher said he cannot legislate on how the former vice-president runs his political life.
Momodu said those criticising Abubakar’s presidential ambition did not support young candidates during the 2023 elections.
The PDP chieftain cited US 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?” Momodu asked.
“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”.
On whether Atiku would be a threat to President Tinubu’s reelection bid, 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,” Momodu added.
The PDP chieftain said Abubakar stands a chance in 2027 if the “mood of the nation is overwhelmingly opposed to the current leader”.
Daily Trust reports that although Atiku has run for the number one office six times, only made it to the ballot as a presidential candidate on three occasions in 2007, 2019, and 2023.
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