In a candid assessment of the current state of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has advised Atiku Abubakar, the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, to refrain from future electoral contests.
During an interview on Channels TV, Fayose articulated his belief that it is time for Atiku, who has previously run for the presidency multiple times, to “stay away from politics of contesting elections again.”
Fayose, who has been vocal about the challenges facing the PDP, emphasized that at 63, Atiku would likely find little appeal in seeking the presidency again as he approaches his eighties.
“By the time Asiwaju (Bola Tinubu) finishes his tenure, Atiku Abubakar will probably be 80 or 81, so what will be the attraction?” Fayose questioned.
He advocated for a generational shift in political leadership, asserting that “Nigerians are craving for a younger generation than ever before.”
The former governor expressed concern over the dwindling relevance of the PDP, pointing out that the party’s foundational structures have eroded, leaving it vulnerable against rising opposition figures, notably Peter Obi of the Labour Party.
“When we complain about the APC and we don’t have a party, how can we defeat them?” he asked, highlighting Obi’s emergence as a prominent voice against the current administration.