The wife of the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, Titi Abubakar, has explained her husband’s decision to seek the presidency again at nearly 80. She said he is motivated by a desire to serve Nigerians, give back to society, and mentor younger leaders in governance.
Mrs Abubakar made the remarks while campaigning for the former Vice-President at a rally, in a video shared on TV Platinum’s X page on Friday.
She portrayed Atiku as an experienced politician and philanthropist who, if elected, would enter the presidency with an established understanding of governance rather than spend his first years learning the demands of office.
“Atiku is a sellable material. That is why I’m so proud of my husband. Atiku is a philanthropist. Atiku has done it before. Atiku is not going to learn on the job, and Atiku is not a novice,” she said.
Her defence of the former Vice-President’s candidacy comes as questions continue to surround his decision to seek the presidency again at an age when he is approaching 80.
Mrs Abubakar dismissed the suggestion that her husband was seeking another opportunity to control public resources, and that his motivation was service-driven.
“Atiku doesn’t want Nigerians’ money. Atiku just wants to give back to the society what the society has done for him. Because many people keep saying, what is he looking for? Very soon, he’s going to be 80,” she said.
She also outlined what she described as Atiku’s intended role in preparing younger political leaders for the future.
According to her, the former Vice-President plans to use his administration to mentor his deputy in governance with a view to potentially creating a succession path at the end of his first term.
She suggested that Nigerians could subsequently seek another term for Atiku despite his previous indication that he would serve only one term.
“Atiku wants to tutor you, children, how politics is being made Nigerians will be yearning for Atiku for a second time,” she said.
Mrs Abubakar further offered a bleak assessment of the country under the current administration. She cited failures in constitutional governance, the rule of law, and economic management.
“Now, today, we have no constitution. We have no rule of law. Nothing is working. Our economy is in shambles. And I wonder how people are living. I wonder how people are eating,” she said.
She said Atiku’s proposed first tenure would therefore combine governance with political mentorship, while his deputy would be positioned as a possible successor.
“By the grace of God, when he comes to this table, I told you, people will yearn that he should continue and do a second time. By then, he will have tutored his deputy. Maybe the deputy will take over from him,” she said.
Her comments point are reflective of a personal dimension to his renewed presidential campaign as she frames his age not as a barrier to public service but as evidence of the experience and political knowledge she believes he could bring to the presidency.
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