Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has appealed to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race, assuring him of continued relevance under a potential Peter Obi-Kwankwaso administration.
Kwankwaso made the appeal on Monday while speaking with members of the Fulani Farmers Association at his residence in Abuja.
The former Kano State governor asked Atiku to consider his age and health and focus on his traditional responsibilities instead of pursuing another presidential bid.
Speaking in Hausa, Kwankwaso urged members of the association to visit Atiku and convey the message to him, while promising that he and Obi would take care of the former vice-president if their party wins the 2027 election.
“Go to the Wazirin of Adamawa’s house and tell him in Fulani that he needs to focus on his traditional title of Wazirin, given his age and health,” he said.
Kwankwaso’s remarks come as opposition figures continue to position themselves ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with Atiku having confirmed that the forthcoming election would be his final attempt at the presidency.
Atiku, who will turn 81 next year, has contested for Nigeria’s presidency multiple times and was the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in 2007, 2019 and 2023.
Kwankwaso, meanwhile, is set to contest the election as Peter Obi’s running mate under the NDC, following the opposition realignment ahead of the 2027 poll.
His latest comments therefore add another dimension to the emerging political contest, as the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket seeks to consolidate support across northern and southern parts of the country while encouraging older political figures to make way for a new generation of leadership.
