ABUJA:  Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has indicated that the 2027 presidential election will likely mark the conclusion of his decades-long pursuit of Nigeria’s highest office.

Speaking during a televised interview on Arise News on Wednesday evening, the veteran politician cited both his advancing age and the critical nature of the upcoming polls as primary factors in his decision. Atiku, who will be 80 years old by the time of the 2027 contest, acknowledged that the stakes have never been higher.

“Certainly yes, because the stakes are higher and I believe that will be my last outing,” Abubakar stated when questioned on how his age might influence his political trajectory.

A Legacy of Persistent Candidacy

The announcement adds a layer of finality to one of the most enduring careers in Nigerian democratic history. Abubakar’s journey through the presidential landscape spans over thirty years:

• 1993: Initial foray into national politics during the Social Democratic Party (SDP) primaries, eventually stepping down for the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola.

• 2007: Contested under the Action Congress (AC) banner.

• 2011: Sought the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nomination, losing to then-President Goodluck Jonathan.

• 2019: Represented the PDP in a high-profile contest against Muhammadu Buhari.

• 2023: Secured the PDP ticket once more, finishing behind the incumbent, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Economic and Structural Vision

Throughout his multiple campaigns, Abubakar has remained a consistent proponent of a specific policy triad: restructuring the Nigerian federation, economic liberalization, and fostering private sector-driven growth. His supporters view him as a reformer capable of diversifying the economy, while critics often point to his age and previous electoral losses as hurdles to a 2027 victory.

Shaping the 2027 Landscape

Atiku’s declaration comes at a time when Nigeria’s political class is already beginning to realign for the next general election. By framing 2027 as his "last outing," the former Vice President may be looking to consolidate his base within the PDP and present a sense of urgency to his long-standing platform of constitutional and economic reform.

As early alignments take shape, Abubakar's presence ensures that the debate over experience versus generational shift remains at the forefront of the national discourse.