Paul Ibe, the Media Adviser to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has said his principal merits a Nobel Prize for his consistency and determination in contesting Nigeria’s presidential elections.
Speaking on Trust TV’s Daily Politics on Thursday, Ibe rejected the widespread notion that Atiku has made excessive attempts at the presidency. He clarified that, contrary to popular belief, the former Vice President has officially been on the ballot only three times — in 2007 under the Action Congress (AC), and in 2019 and 2023 as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate.
When reminded that Atiku had also been an aspirant in other election years — including 2011 and 2025 — Ibe quipped, “Atiku Abubakar should get a Nobel Prize for that,” emphasizing that Atiku’s persistence is rooted in his conviction that he still has much to offer Nigeria.
According to Ibe, Atiku’s drive is also fueled by a deep sense of obligation to the country that has given him opportunities throughout his life. He recalled that Atiku benefited from government-sponsored education as a young man, served in the Nigeria Customs Service, and later ventured into business, where he founded a successful oil and gas logistics company.
Highlighting Atiku’s financial independence before entering politics, Ibe stressed that Atiku was already a billionaire prior to becoming Vice President in 1999. He further revealed that Atiku personally purchased Wadata Plaza in Abuja, which now serves as the national headquarters of the PDP.
“Atiku single-handedly bought the Wadata Plaza for the PDP. That was how wealthy he was before entering government,” Ibe noted.
