2027: Atiku Won’t Quit Presidential Race, ADC Chieftain Tells Kwankwaso

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chille Igbawua, has rejected calls by former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race.

Igbawua, a former member of the House of Representatives and adviser to ADC National Chairman, David Mark, said there was no basis for suggesting that Atiku’s age or health would prevent him from governing Nigeria.

Kwankwaso, who is the running mate to Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi, had urged Atiku to quit the race, citing his age and health.

Reacting to the call during an interview on Arise Television, Igbawua said Kwankwaso had no evidence to support his claims about Atiku’s health.

“I do not know where he has data on Atiku’s health. Atiku has not changed his age, but whether at that age he cannot govern is a totally different thing,” he said.

The ADC chieftain argued that age alone should not determine a person’s ability to govern, noting that some younger politicians may not possess the agility, mental capacity and political experience he attributed to Atiku.

He also criticised Kwankwaso’s suggestion that Atiku should step aside and be “taken care of” if the NDC wins the 2027 election, describing the remark as insulting and irresponsible.

“To suggest that Atiku should step down so that if they win they will take care of him, how? That is an insult,” Igbawua said, adding that the comment had created further division among opposition politicians.

He, however, maintained that the ADC remained open to dialogue with other opposition parties in the interest of producing a stronger challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“At all times, we are ready for dialogue. Whether it will succeed or not is a different thing. But at least it gives the opportunity for the opposition to come together,” he said.

Igbawua expressed confidence that the ADC could defeat President Bola Tinubu in 2027 even if opposition parties eventually field separate candidates.

The latest exchange highlights the widening differences between the ADC and NDC camps as Atiku and Obi pursue separate presidential bids, despite continued calls for opposition parties to unite ahead of the 2027 election.

With political realignments intensifying, the dispute over Atiku’s candidacy is likely to remain a major issue in ongoing efforts to forge a united opposition capable of mounting a serious challenge to the APC.