In a bold and emphatic rebuttal, veteran media mogul and politician, Dele Momodu, has sharply criticized former Governor Ayodele Fayose’s suggestion that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar should withdraw from future presidential bids. Momodu, renowned for his unflinching stance on political matters, did not hold back in challenging Fayose’s recent remarks, raising pertinent questions and drawing attention to what he sees as a flawed rationale.
In his fiery response, Momodu zeroed in on Fayose’s ambiguous reference to “younger” candidates for the 2027 elections. He questioned the logic behind advocating for figures like Minister Nyesom Wike or President Bola Tinubu, both of whom, despite their age, enjoy backing from various factions, including members of the PDP, despite Tinubu belonging to the opposition APC. Momodu bluntly asked, “Is it truly democratic to tell someone not to contest an election simply because of their age?” He stressed that while it’s acceptable for individuals to express their opposition to a particular candidate, it is undemocratic to subtly attempt to “disqualify” anyone from running based solely on age.
To reinforce his argument, Momodu cited international precedents, pointing to U.S. President Joe Biden, who, after his tenure as Vice President under Barack Obama, staged a remarkable political comeback despite his age. Similarly, Donald Trump remains a dominant force in American politics, with the possibility of facing a much younger opponent like Vice President Kamala Harris in future elections. Momodu asserted that age does not diminish a leader’s capacity for vision, purpose, or mission in life, highlighting Atiku’s enduring significance on Nigeria’s political landscape.
In a closing salvo, Momodu made it clear that leadership is not defined by age but by the strength of one’s ideas, values, and commitment to national development. He reaffirmed Atiku Abubakar’s standing as a figure who remains politically relevant and ready to serve, regardless of ageist criticisms.
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