The National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mr. Eze-Onyebuchi Chukwu, has called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to drop any ambition to contest the 2027 presidential election, urging him instead to support a credible young candidate or allow President Bola Tinubu to complete a second term.
In a strongly worded statement issued in Abuja on Friday, Chukwu said it was time for Nigeria’s political elders to pave the way for a younger generation of leaders, stressing the need for leadership renewal and generational transition.
“Rather than aspiring to run again in 2027, Atiku should rally his political allies to support a young, credible Nigerian. It’s time to return power to the youths,” Chukwu said.
Chukwu, who disclosed that he supported Atiku in the past, said he had invested resources and effort in 2019 while serving as the convener of *Atikunation* in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), hoping the former vice president would prioritize youth empowerment.
“Atiku challenged Goodluck Jonathan in 2015, Muhammadu Buhari in 2019, and Tinubu in 2023. 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,” he said.
He emphasized that Nigerian youths must reject any political agenda that sidelines them and urged a unified push for greater youth inclusion in national leadership.
Chukwu added that if Atiku remains adamant about contesting at his age, it would be more pragmatic to support President Tinubu for a second term—on the condition that he commits to handing over to a young leader under the age of 50 by 2031.
“Now Atiku appears determined to fulfil a personal ambition of becoming president at all costs. But we must ask ourselves: at what price?” Chukwu questioned.
Citing the example of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who secured the presidency after four attempts but “set the country back by over a decade,” Chukwu cautioned against repeating history.
He concluded by noting that Nigerian youths are prepared to support any leader—including Tinubu—who makes a binding commitment to facilitate a generational shift in leadership by 2031.
