By Opeyemi Adelakun
Netizens have continued to react to the claim by the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, that President Bola Tinubu is 90 years old and sick.
Atiku made the claim during an interview with the BBC while responding to questions about his age and his decision to contest the 2027 presidential election.
The former vice president argued that age should not be used to question his capacity to govern, insisting that he remained healthy and physically capable of serving the country.
“We have a president who is 90 years old now and who is sick, and I am healthy; I am strong, so why would I not make my services available to my fellow countrymen?” Atiku said.
The BBC interviewer, however, challenged the claim, pointing out that Tinubu is not 90 years old.
Atiku maintained his position, saying he had “evidence and records” to support his claim and would present them in court.
The statement has since generated mixed reactions on X, with some users accusing Atiku of engaging in political attacks, while others said he should provide the evidence he referred to.
One user, @TayoSpeaks, wrote: “If Atiku says he has official records proving Tinubu is 90, then the easiest thing is to release them. Nigerians can examine the evidence themselves instead of turning the issue into another campaign argument.”
Another user, @ZainabReports, said:
“This election is already getting heated. Atiku should focus more on what he plans to do for Nigerians rather than making an allegation about Tinubu’s age without showing the documents.”»
Reacting differently, @ChuksOnPolitics wrote: “Whether Tinubu is 74 or 90, the real question should be whether he is delivering for Nigerians. Candidates should give us policies, not just personal attacks.”
Another X user, @MusaAbdullahi, defended Atiku’s position, saying: “If Atiku genuinely has records that contradict the publicly known age of the President, he should present them. The public deserves to know where the conflicting information is coming from.”
However, @IfeanyiOkoro described the controversy as a distraction from the issues facing the country.
“Nigerians are struggling with insecurity, unemployment and the cost of living. The 2027 debate should be about solutions to these problems, not a contest over who is older.”
Another user, @AminaYusuf, wrote: “Atiku has made a serious claim and has also said he can prove it in court. Let him present his evidence and allow the appropriate authorities to determine the truth.”
The reactions come as Atiku intensifies his political activities ahead of the 2027 presidential election, where he is expected to challenge Tinubu and other presidential contenders.
Atiku, who served as vice president from 1999 to 2007, has contested the presidency several times, including in 2019 and 2023.
Tinubu, meanwhile, is seeking another term in office under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
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