Muhammed Basil, a House of Representatives member from Adamawa State, has advised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to withdraw from active partisan politics and assume the role of a national elder statesman.
Speaking in an interview with Punch, Basil, who represents the Jada/Ganye/Toungo/Mayo-Belwa Federal Constituency under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said it is time for the younger generation to take the political lead. He suggested that Atiku’s vast experience could be better leveraged as an adviser rather than as an active politician.
Basil described Atiku as a powerful and respected figure in Nigerian politics but noted that age and changing political dynamics signal a natural transition. “Whatever one does in life, there comes a time to step aside and give way to younger people, especially when age is no longer on your side,” he remarked.
He added that it is more honourable for Atiku to guide emerging politicians than to remain embroiled in day-to-day partisan competition. “When you look back and discover that many of those you once played politics with have left the scene, it is more honourable to take a bow and become a political compass for younger politicians. Atiku’s seat as an elder statesman is waiting for him at the national level,” Basil said.
Highlighting Atiku’s contributions to national development, Basil argued that exiting active politics at a high point would help preserve his legacy. “There is diminishing return in everything. Age moves faster, and when people around you begin to move to other camps, these are signs that you have reached a boiling point in life,” he explained.
On the state of the PDP in Adamawa ahead of the 2027 elections, Basil expressed confidence in the party’s dominance, noting that rivals lack significant grassroots presence. “Politics is not practised on the pages of newspapers or only in the media. Some people talk from morning till night, but on election day you will not find them in their constituencies because they are not on ground,” he stated.
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