Photo caption: Atiku Abubakar
The National Youth leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Eze-Onyebuchi Chukwu, has asked former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to abandon any plan of contesting the presidency in 2027.
NAN reports that Chukwu, in a statement on Friday, asked Abubakar to either support a credible young Nigerian or allow President Bola Tinubu to complete a second term.
He said Nigeria’s older politicians must begin the process of transferring leadership to younger, visionary individuals.
“Rather than aspiring to run again in 2027, Atiku should rally his political allies to support a young, credible Nigerian,” he said.
“It’s time to return power to the youths.”
Chukwu recalled his role as convener of Atikunation in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in 2019, saying he invested time and resources in support of Atiku because he believed the former vice-president would prioritise youth empowerment.
“Atiku challenged Goodluck Jonathan in 2015, Muhammadu Buhari in 2019, and Tinubu in 2023,” he said.
“Now he wants to contest again in 2027 — is he the only one fit to be president? There are capable young Nigerians who deserve a chance.”
The APGA chieftain said any political process that excludes young people must be rejected, adding that the country needs a deliberate shift toward new-generation leadership.
Chukwu said that if Atiku insists on contesting, then it may be more reasonable to support Tinubu for another term — but only if he commits to handing over to a young leader in 2031.
He said Nigerian youths are ready to back any candidate who makes a clear and binding pledge to support generational transition in 2031.
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