2027: Kwankwaso Urges Atiku to Drop Presidential Bid, Back NDC

The Vice Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has urged the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race and support the NDC.

Kwankwaso made the appeal on Thursday while receiving members of the Fulani Farmers Association at his residence in Abuja.

The former Kano State governor asked Atiku to step down in favour of the NDC presidential ticket, promising that the former vice president would be taken care of if the party wins the presidency.

“Step down for us; if we win, we will take care of you,” Kwankwaso said.

He also urged people from Atiku’s home state of Adamawa to appeal to the former vice president to return home and focus on his traditional responsibilities as the Waziri of Adamawa.

Kwankwaso questioned the suitability of Atiku’s renewed presidential ambition, pointing to his age and physical condition.

He argued that Nigeria had changed significantly from the country Atiku knew when he began his political career, suggesting that the former vice president should reconsider his decision to seek the presidency again.

Kwankwaso and Atiku had previously been involved in efforts to build a united opposition ahead of the 2027 election, with both politicians at different points associated with broader opposition realignments.

However, their political paths have since diverged, with Atiku emerging as the ADC presidential candidate while Kwankwaso joined Peter Obi on the NDC presidential ticket as the vice-presidential candidate.

Kwankwaso and Obi had earlier left the ADC and moved to the NDC in May, citing internal divisions and legal disputes within the party.

The latest appeal comes amid renewed efforts by opposition politicians to consolidate support and present a stronger challenge to President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election.

Kwankwaso’s call for Atiku to step aside further highlights the divisions among opposition figures seeking to build a common front, even as the various political camps intensify their mobilisation ahead of the election.