Veteran journalist and political figure, Dele Momodu, has defended former Vice President Atiku Abubakar against criticisms that he is too old or has run for office too many times, as reported by Vanguard on Thursday, 17 July, 2025.
Momodu said repeated attempts to lead should not be seen as a weakness but as a sign of determination.
Momodu dismissed concerns about Atiku’s age, noting that President Bola Tinubu is older and still serving.
He said that in a democracy, there should be no age limit to ambition as long as the candidate remains fit and capable.
He also pointed to other global examples of political persistence.
He recalled that former President Muhammadu Buhari ran four times before finally winning in 2015.
He also mentioned U.S. President Abraham Lincoln and former President Donald Trump, who both lost elections before eventually achieving success.
Momodu said these examples prove that perseverance in politics is not unusual.
According to him, running multiple times shows commitment to public service and belief in democratic values.
He added that being consistent in one’s political journey should be praised, not ridiculed.
He argued that Nigeria needs experienced leaders who understand the country’s challenges and can offer practical solutions, for him, Atiku fits that description.
Momodu further stated that those attacking Atiku for his persistence are ignoring history and the nature of democracy itself.
He said democracy rewards resilience and that every election is a new opportunity.
“If President Tinubu, who is older, is still in office, why can’t Atiku run? Buhari contested four times before winning. Abraham Lincoln lost multiple times. Even Donald Trump made a comeback. Persistence in democracy is not a sin, it’s courage,” he said.
