A member of the House of Representatives from Adamawa State, Muhammed Basil, has called on former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to withdraw from active partisan politics and serve instead as an elder statesman.
Muhammed Basil lawmaker representing Jada/Ganye/Toungo/Mayo-Belwa Federal Constituency under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) made the appeal publicly, arguing that Atiku’s extensive political experience would be better used as a national political guide rather than an active party figure.
The call from Basil came just two weeks after Atiku’s son, Abba Atiku, publicly declared support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election a move that surprised many political observers.
Basil praised Atiku as a respected and powerful politician, saying that many peers he once worked with have exited the political stage. He suggested that stepping aside from frontline party politics would be more honorable and that Atiku could instead become a political compass for emerging leaders.
Atiku Abubakar has been a central figure in Nigerian politics for decades serving as Vice-President (1999–2007) and as the PDP’s presidential candidate in both 2019 and 2023. His career has included high-profile party leadership roles and multiple presidential bids.
Calls for elder statesmanship reflect broader frustration among some politicians and citizens about career politicians staying in play too long, sparking debates about generational leadership and political renewal in Nigeria.
