Vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has called on former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to shelve his ambition to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Kwankwaso, who is the running mate to the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, made the appeal on Monday in Abuja during a meeting with members of the Fulani Farmers Association at his residence.
The former Kano State governor appealed to Atiku to reconsider his decision to seek the presidency, pointing to his age and health.
Speaking in Hausa, Kwankwaso asked the group to convey his message to Atiku and encourage him to concentrate on his traditional responsibilities as Wazirin Adamawa.
“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 also assured Atiku that he would be adequately taken care of should the NDC ticket triumph in the 2027 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 added.
Atiku has made several attempts to become Nigeria's president and was the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2007, 2019 and 2023.
In April, the former vice-president, who is due to turn 81 next year, declared that the 2027 election would be his last bid for the presidency.
His continued ambition has featured prominently in discussions over the shape of the opposition ahead of the 2027 election, particularly as opposition parties seek a common platform to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Atiku was conferred with the title of Wazirin Adamawa in June 2017 by Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Musdafa, the 12th traditional ruler of the Adamawa Emirate, after the death of Muhammad Abba, the previous holder.
Before then, Atiku had held the title of Turaki of Adamawa since 1982. The title was later transferred to his son, Aliyu.
The Wazirin Adamawa is a prominent traditional position in the Adamawa Emirate, with the holder traditionally regarded as the emir's prime minister, senior counsellor, kingmaker and close adviser.
However, a policy introduced by the Adamawa State Government in 2025 requiring kingmakers and traditional council members to be indigenes of the emirates or chiefdoms they represent was said to have affected Atiku's status.
Atiku is from Jada in the Ganye Emirate, while the Wazirin title is associated with the Adamawa Emirate.
Kwankwaso's latest appeal comes against the backdrop of ongoing manoeuvring within the opposition over who should lead a possible coalition against President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
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