Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has dismissed concerns about his age ahead of the 2027 presidential election, insisting that he remains fit and capable of leading Nigeria.

Atiku addressed the Atiku age debate during an interview with the BBC Hausa service, where he was asked whether his age could affect his ability to provide effective leadership if elected president.

The interviewer pointed out that Atiku would be close to 80 by the time Nigerians head to the polls in 2027 and asked what he would tell those who believe he is too old to govern.

Responding, the former vice president challenged the premise of the question.

“Do I look to you like someone who has reached 80 years of age?” Atiku asked.

He also referred to the age of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu while responding to the question, although the interviewer subsequently corrected his age reference.

Atiku then reiterated his position, asking: “Do I look to you like someone who has reached 80 years of age?”

The ADC candidate’s comments come amid renewed discussions about the age and physical capacity of presidential contenders ahead of the 2027 election.

Rather than allowing the Atiku age question to dominate the conversation, the former vice president maintained that his physical condition should be judged by his fitness and ability to perform rather than by age alone.

The former vice president also rejected allegations that he had become an obstacle to efforts to build a united opposition ahead of the 2027 elections.

Atiku described the accusation as baseless, insisting that he was actually the person who initiated the opposition coalition.

“That is a baseless accusation levelled against me. I was actually the one who initiated the coalition. Nobody else. I, Atiku Abubakar, started it,” he said.

According to him, Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso were the two major opposition figures who had withdrawn from the coalition after initially being involved.

“It was just Kwankwaso… he was with us at first, then he left,” Atiku said.

He similarly mentioned Obi, adding that other members of the coalition had remained committed to the effort.

“It’s just them, but the rest of us are still here continuing our work,” he said.

Despite the departures, Atiku expressed optimism that the opposition figures could eventually work together again in the interest of the country.

His comments place the Atiku age debate alongside the broader political realignment underway ahead of the 2027 presidential contest, as opposition parties and political figures continue efforts to build a formidable challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).