Former Kano State Governor and vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has urged former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race, citing his age and health.
Kwankwaso made the appeal on Monday in Abuja while addressing members of the Fulani Farmers Association at his residence.
The running mate to NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi urged Atiku to reconsider his presidential ambition, saying the former vice-president should instead concentrate on his traditional role as Wazirin Adamawa.
Speaking in Hausa, Kwankwaso said: “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 further appealed to Atiku to support the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket, promising that they would take care of him if elected in 2027.
“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,” Kwankwaso said.
Atiku, who will turn 81 next year, has sought Nigeria’s presidency on several occasions and was the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2007, 2019 and 2023 elections.
In April, the former vice-president said the 2027 general election would be his final attempt at becoming president.
Kwankwaso’s appeal comes amid renewed political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, with the NDC positioning the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket as a major alternative in the presidential contest.
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, following the death of Muhammad Abba, who previously held the title.
Before becoming Wazirin Adamawa, Atiku had held the traditional title of Turaki of Adamawa since 1982. The title was subsequently passed to his son, Aliyu.
The Wazirin Adamawa is one of the highest-ranking traditional titles in the Adamawa Emirate, with the holder traditionally serving as the emir’s prime minister, senior councillor, kingmaker and close adviser.
However, the status of Atiku’s traditional title became a subject of controversy in 2025 after the Adamawa State Government issued a directive 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 status as Wazirin Adamawa because he is from Jada in the Ganye Emirate.
