ABUJA — Eze-Onyebuchi Chukwu, National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has called on former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to abandon any plans of contesting the 2027 presidential election and instead support a younger, credible candidate.
In a statement released on Friday and reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Chukwu said it was time for Nigeria’s political elders to begin transferring power to the younger generation. He urged Atiku to either back a competent youth or allow President Bola Tinubu to complete a second term.
“Rather than aspiring to run again in 2027, Atiku should rally his political allies to support a young, credible Nigerian,” Chukwu said. “It’s time to return power to the youths.”
The APGA youth leader emphasized that the marginalisation of youth in politics was no longer acceptable and that Nigeria must reject any political structure that excludes young people from meaningful leadership roles.
Recalling his past involvement in Atiku’s campaign, Chukwu said he had convened Atikunation in the Federal Capital Territory during the 2019 election and invested both time and resources because he believed Atiku would champion youth empowerment.
“Atiku challenged Goodluck Jonathan in 2015, Muhammadu Buhari in 2019, and Tinubu in 2023,” he stated. “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.”
Chukwu added that if Atiku insists on running again, then supporting Tinubu for a second term may be the more strategic option — but only if Tinubu commits to handing over to a younger leader in 2031.
He concluded by affirming that Nigerian youths are ready to back any candidate who pledges to champion a generational shift by the next political cycle.
