Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has vowed to continue running for the presidency as long as he remains healthy.
In an interview with the Hausa service of the Voice of America in Abuja, Atiku expressed his determination to persist in his presidential aspirations.
When asked if he will contest again, Atiku stated, “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,” he said.
Atiku, who will be 81 by the next presidential election in 2027, has run for the presidency six times and has been on the ballot as a presidential candidate on three occasions—2007, 2019, and 2023.
He finds consolation in the fact that former US President Abraham Lincoln did not win the presidential vote on his first attempt.
Addressing the crisis within the PDP, Atiku emphasized the need for unity and alliances with other political groups to secure victory in the 2027 presidential election.
There have been speculations that Atiku and other politicians are planning to form a coalition with other political parties.
Atiku recently met with his counterpart from the Labour Party (LP), presidential candidate Peter Obi.
The former vice president assured, “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 added.
