Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, says the youths are free to vie for 2023 presidential election.
Atiku Abubakar played down the agitation for older politicians to quit the stage and allow the emergence of youthful president in next year’s election.
The former Vice President spoke briefly with newsmen on Saturday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State Capital shortly after a closed door meeting with former President Olusegun Obasanjo over his presidential bid.
Atiku, being the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP presidential candidate in 2019, arrived the penthouse residence located within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library , Abeokuta, Ogun State 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, but he had commenced consultation across the nation.
VON correspondent gathered that Atiku had commenced consultation ahead of his planned declaration of his intention to run in 2023, hence, his meeting with his former boss, Obasanjo.
Atiku had vied for the presidential seat in 2007, 2011 and 2019.
Speaking with newsmen after the meeting, which lasted for an hour, Atiku said he would soon make a formal declaration of his intention to run in 2023.
Atiku also expressed his confidence of winning the PDP presidential ticket.
When asked to allow the emergence of younger presidential candidates, Atiku responded that “Let the youth compete now.
It is a competition.
It is democracy.
”
The former Vice President and his team also met with Paramount ruler of Egbaland, the Alake, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, at the Ake palace.
Confidence Okwuchi
2023: Ex Vice President plays down on age factor