BY AHMED AKANBI
The 2027 presidential contest took a dramatic turn as the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC vice presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso asked former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar to quit the race and back Peter Obi.
Kwankwaso made the appeal during a meeting with members of the Fulani Farmers Association at his Abuja residence, urging them to prevail on Atiku to shelve his ambition over age and health concerns.
Speaking in Hausa, the former Kano State governor said Atiku should focus on his traditional role as the Wazirin Adamawa rather than seek another term on the ballot.
“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.
He also sought to placate Atiku, assuring him that an Obi-Kwankwaso administration would accord him respect if the NDC, wins 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,” he added.
Atiku, who turns 81 next year, has contested for president in 2007, 2019 and 2023, and declared in April that 2027 would be his final attempt.
The Wazirin Adamawa title was conferred on Atiku in 2017 after the death of Muhammad Abba, having earlier held the Turaki title from 1982 before it was transferred to his son, Aliyu.
His hold on the traditional title has however been questioned following a 2025 Adamawa State policy requiring council members and kingmakers to be indigenes of the emirates they represent, a move that reportedly affects Atiku who hails from Jada in Ganye Emirate.
Kwankwaso’s intervention adds fresh tension to opposition realignments ahead of 2027, as parties and alliances jostle for a united front in what is shaping up to be a fiercely contested presidential election.