Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says he will continue contesting as long as he is alive and healthy to realise his dream of becoming Nigeria’s president. 

“Of course, I will keep contesting again and again as long as I am alive and healthy,” Mr Abubakar said in an interview with Voice of America, Hausa, when asked if he would be contesting the 2027 presidential election.

Explaining why he would not give up on his dream to be Nigeria’s president, Mr Abubakar said American president Abraham Lincoln contested seven times before he won. 

“Even the former US President Abraham Lincoln contested seven times before finally winning,” Mr Abubakar said.

He added, “However, given the current state of the PDP, it is clear that a single-handed effort will not suffice to win the election. Strong support and collaboration with other parties are required.”

A former vice-president between 1999 and 2007, Mr Abubakar, 77, will be 81 by the next presidential election, having contested six times and failing to win.

In 1993, he contested in the Social Democratic Party presidential primary, losing to Moshood Abiola.

After serving two terms as vice-president to former President Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999 to 2007, Mr Abubakar contested in 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023 and lost.