Atiku Deserves Nobel Prize for Multiple Attempts at Presidency – Aide

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s media adviser, Paul Ibe, has said his principal deserves nothing less than a Nobel Prize for his persistence in seeking Nigeria’s highest office.

Ibe made the remark on Thursday while featuring on Trust TV’s programme Daily Politics, where he dismissed suggestions that Atiku has contested for the presidency “too many times.”

According to Ibe, contrary to the widespread belief that Atiku has been a serial contestant, the former Vice President has only been on the presidential ballot three times.

“Atiku Abubakar has been on the ballot three times for the record. That was in 2007 under the AC, in 2019 with the PDP, and again in 2023 with the PDP. So, it’s actually three times,” he said.

When reminded that Atiku had also made unsuccessful attempts to secure party tickets in 2011 and 2025, Ibe responded with humour:
“Atiku Abubakar should get a Nobel Prize for that. The former Vice President feels he still has something to offer.”

Ibe explained that Atiku’s motivation to keep contesting stems from a sense of duty and gratitude to the country.

“The man feels obligated to Nigeria because the country has given him so much. He had access to education when he was young; he got an opportunity to work in the Customs. After leaving Customs, he went into business, had foresight about the direction Nigeria was going, and set up an oil and gas logistics company,” Ibe stated.

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He emphasised that Atiku’s drive was not about personal enrichment but about contributing to national development.

The media adviser also countered narratives that Atiku became wealthy through politics.

“Atiku was already a billionaire before he became Vice President in 1999. He single-handedly bought the Wadata Plaza for the PDP. That was how wealthy he was before entering government,” Ibe said.

Wadata Plaza, located in Abuja, is the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Although Atiku has not formally declared his interest in the 2027 presidential election, his name continues to dominate political conversations. At 78, the former vice president remains one of the most recognisable figures in Nigerian politics, having sought the presidency since the early 1990s.

For Ibe, Atiku’s persistence is not a weakness but a testament to resilience. “He believes Nigeria can be better, and he is ready to keep contributing in whatever way possible,” he added.