Former Ekiti State governor Ayodele Fayose has declared that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, is too old to contest the 2027 election. Speaking on Tuesday night, August 18, during an interview on TVC’s Politics Tonight show, Fayose compared Atiku to former United States President Joe Biden, asserting that age has become a significant barrier for the veteran politician.
Fayose Compares Atiku to Joe Biden
Fayose stated unequivocally that Atiku’s advanced age disqualifies him from seeking the presidency again. He said, “Atiku is now really old. He’s a good man, but time has caught up with him. Atiku contesting an election is like calling Biden to come and contest again.” The former governor also noted that the 2027 election cycle may mark the final opportunity for several prominent figures, including President Bola Tinubu, Atiku, and Labour Party candidate Peter Obi. “Let me say this again: President Bola Tinubu, Atiku and Peter Obi, this is their last chance of contesting an election. The three of them,” he added.
Amaechi Faces Challenges in South-South
Fayose also addressed the prospects of Atiku’s running mate, Rotimi Amaechi, predicting that the former Rivers State governor would struggle to secure significant support in the South-South region. According to Fayose, Amaechi lacks political influence in the area. He said, “In Rivers State, during this election, Amaechi will have very little support. Even the party is not together. Most of these ADC and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) members are not on ground. Nobody is connected to those parties yet.”
Fayose’s remarks come as political realignments intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections. The ADC, which recently adopted Atiku as its presidential candidate, has been working to build a coalition, but Fayose’s assessment suggests significant organizational challenges remain. The former governor’s comments highlight concerns about the viability of the ADC’s campaign and the ability of its candidates to mobilize voters at the grassroots level.
