ABUJA — A chieftain of the Labour Party (LP) and former National Assembly candidate, Dr. Ezeh Emmanuel Ezeh, has called on President Bola Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race to allow younger leaders to take the reins.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Sunday, Ezeh emphasized the urgent need for a generational shift in Nigerian politics. He urged both leaders to act as elder statesmen by supporting emerging leaders rather than seeking re-election.
“Both President Tinubu and Alhaji Atiku belong to the old generation of Nigerian politics. The time has come for these two old war horses to call it a day in electoral contests,” Ezeh stated.
He recalled his earlier appeal for President Tinubu to focus on ensuring credible and transparent elections in 2027 instead of preparing for a second term. According to him, Tinubu’s rumored re-election ambition is already overheating the political space, particularly with alleged moves to recruit incumbent governors, especially from the South.
Turning his attention to Atiku, Ezeh expressed concern that the former Vice President’s reported interest in contesting under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) could jeopardize unity within the opposition. He claimed Atiku’s ambitions are fueling regional tensions.
“Atiku is busy creating the impression in the North that the coalition is all about his presidential ambition. Two years to the election, Nigeria is already divided along regional lines. This is not a good omen for our country,” he warned.
Ezeh also condemned the sense of entitlement among political elites. He cited Tinubu’s 2023 assertion that the opposition merger of 2014 gave him the right to become president, and compared it to Atiku’s alleged push to use the ADC for his 2027 ambition.
“Can we not see that this mentality is pulling us back as a country? Nigerians yearn for peace and progress. Enough of these old tactics,” he said.
He criticised Atiku’s past political maneuvers, stating that his refusal to respect the power rotation principle threw the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into what he described as a “political coma.” He referenced Atiku’s 2019 and 2023 presidential bids, in which northern political figures backed him.
“In 2027, Atiku should rest and demonstrate to President Tinubu that their time has been spent. Both men should recognise that they are like the two sides of an old coin and stop distracting Nigerian youths,” he added.
Ezeh also cautioned Atiku against being misled by some South East politicians allegedly urging him to run on the assumption he could gather enough Northern votes to defeat Tinubu. He maintained that Nigerians are tired of tribal politics and are demanding a new direction.
Despite his criticisms, Ezeh expressed hope in the ADC-led coalition platform, noting that it is gaining momentum. He referenced a recent statement by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, supporting the idea that the presidency should remain in the South until 2031.
“Many Nigerians expected that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar should have supported his 2019 running mate, Mr. Peter Obi, for the PDP ticket instead of contesting against Wike. That move could have united the opposition,” Ezeh said.
