2023 Presidency: Atiku plays down age factor, says youths free to contest

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, on Saturday, said Nigerian youths are free to vie for 2023 presidential election.

He played down agitation for the older politicians to quit the stage and allow emergence of a youthful president in next year election.

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Atiku spoke briefly with newsmen on Saturday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, shortly after a closed door meeting former President Olusegun Obasanjo over his presidential bid.

Atiku, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in 2019, arrived the penthouse residence located within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, Ogun State, at 10:10am and went straight into a closed door meeting with Obasanjo.

Although the former Vice President has not officially declared his intention to contest the 2023 presidential election, he has commenced consultation across the country.

He was Obasanjo’s Vice during his reign between 1999 and 2007.

Our correspondent gathered that Atiku had commenced consultation ahead of his planned declaration of his intention to run in 2023, hence, his meeting with Obasanjo.

He had vied for the presidential seat in 2007, 2011 and 2019.

Speaking with newsmen after the meeting which lasted for an hour, the Waziri of Adamawa said he would soon make a formal declaration of his intention to run in 2023.

He also expressed confidence of winning the PDP presidential ticket.

“Have I ever failed to get the ticket? I’m confident,” he said.

When asked on call to allow emergence of younger presidential candidates, Atiku responded “Let the youth compete now. It is a competition. It’s democracy.”

Daily Trust reports that Atiku and his team are currently meeting with the Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, at the Ake palace.