The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has stated that he will continue to contest for the Nigerian presidency as long as he is hale and hearty.
Plateau News reports that the former Vice President, who is currently 77 years old, will be 81 in three years, ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The PDP chieftain has run for Nigeria’s highest office six times and has been on the ballot as a presidential candidate in 2007, 2019, and 2023.
Speaking on Wednesday during an interview on the Hausa service of the Voice of America (VOA) in Abuja, Atiku Abubakar stated that he will continue to contest for the presidency because of his love for the country.
The former vice president said he is consoled by the fact that former United States President Abraham Lincoln did not win the presidential vote on the first time of asking.
He said: “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.”
Speaking about the crisis in the PDP, Atiku said the party needs to be united and forge alliances with other political groups to win the presidential election in 2027.
He added: “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.”