Former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, has advised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, to retire from politics.
Fayose argued that Atiku would be too old to contest for the presidency by 2027 and noted that Nigerians are increasingly looking for younger leadership.
In an interview with The Nation, Fayose urged the former vice president to exit the political scene while his legacy remains strong.
Speaking on the matter, he said, “At his age, with all due respect to Atiku Abubakar, I believe it’s time for him to step away from contesting elections. By the time President Bola Ahmed Tinubu completes his first term, Atiku will be around 80 or 81 years old. At that stage, what would be the motivation? It’s important to leave the stage when the applause is loudest. I believe Nigerians are eager for a younger generation of leaders. So, on what grounds would Atiku seek to run again?”
Fayose also criticized the state of the PDP, expressing doubts about the party’s ability to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He said, “I’ve always maintained that the APC can be defeated, but how can you defeat them when your own party is in disarray? Complaining about the APC without a united party is futile.
“As things stand, Peter Obi, the Labour Party candidate in the 2023 election, is gradually becoming the leading voice of the opposition. So, where is the PDP? The party is in shambles! It’s gone!”
