Former Kano State governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has urged former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race and support the NDC ticket.
Kwankwaso made the appeal on September 10 while receiving members of the Fulani Farmers Association at his residence in Abuja. He reportedly asked Atiku, who is the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, to reconsider his ambition and support the NDC, where Peter Obi is the presidential candidate.
Kwankwaso also referenced Atiku’s age and health while making the appeal. He said, “Step down for us; if we win, we will take care of you.”
In another remark, Kwankwaso urged supporters to tell Atiku to focus on his traditional role as the Wazirin Adamawa, while promising that an NDC victory would see the former vice-president properly accommodated.
The statement is significant as opposition politicians continue to position themselves ahead of the 2027 Nigerian presidential election. The competing ambitions of Atiku, Obi and other opposition figures could influence ongoing efforts to build alliances capable of challenging President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Atiku has previously contested the presidency several times and was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in 2019 and 2023. He has also indicated that the 2027 election could be his final attempt at the presidency.
Kwankwaso, meanwhile, contested the 2023 presidential election under the New Nigeria Peoples Party before becoming Obi’s running mate on the NDC platform for 2027. His latest appeal to Atiku highlights the continuing realignment of Nigeria’s opposition landscape as political parties prepare for the next general election.
