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Rabiu Kwankwaso, vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has urged former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race, citing his age and health.
Kwankwaso, who is the running mate to NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi, made the appeal on Monday during a meeting with members of the Fulani Farmers Association at his residence in Abuja.
The former Kano State governor asked the group to approach Atiku and encourage him to focus on his traditional title rather than pursue another presidential bid.
“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,” Kwankwaso said in Hausa.
He further assured Atiku that he and Obi would look after him if their political platform succeeds in the 2027 presidential election.
“If Allah grants us success, we will take good care of him, especially since you all come from Adamawa. An apology should be offered to him,” he said.
Atiku, who will turn 81 next year, has contested the presidency multiple times and has appeared on the ballot as a presidential candidate in 2007, 2019 and 2023. In April, he said the 2027 election would be his final attempt to become president.
The former vice-president was conferred with the traditional title of Wazirin Adamawa in June 2017 following the death of Muhammad Abba, the previous holder. He had earlier held the title of Turaki of Adamawa from 1982, before it was passed to his son, Aliyu.
The Wazirin Adamawa is a senior traditional position in the Adamawa Emirate, with the holder traditionally serving as the emir’s prime minister, senior councillor, kingmaker and close adviser.
However, the Adamawa State Government introduced a policy in 2025 requiring kingmakers and members of traditional councils to be indigenes of the emirates or chiefdoms they represent. The policy was reported to have affected Atiku’s position as Wazirin Adamawa because he is from Jada in the Ganye Emirate.
Kwankwaso’s appeal comes as political parties and alliances position themselves ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with Atiku yet to abandon his stated intention to make another bid for the presidency.
