Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the Vice Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to withdraw from the 2027 presidential election, advising him to retire from active presidential politics and concentrate on his traditional responsibilities.
Kwankwaso made the appeal while receiving members of the Fulani Farmers Association, who visited him at his residence in Abuja.
The former Kano State governor called on supporters of Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), to persuade the former vice president to reconsider his decision to contest the 2027 presidential election.
According to Kwankwaso, Atiku should step aside because of his age and health, arguing that the former vice president could devote his attention to his traditional role as the 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,” Kwankwaso told the delegation.
He further assured Atiku that he would be cared for if the NDC 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,” Kwankwaso said.
The statement adds another dimension to the growing political contest ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with several prominent political figures positioning themselves for the race.
Atiku, who previously served as vice president under the Olusegun Obasanjo administration from 1999 to 2007, has remained a major contender in Nigeria’s presidential politics for more than two decades.
His decision to contest again in 2027 has generated considerable discussion, particularly because of his age. Atiku is expected to turn 80 in 2027, a factor that has increasingly featured in conversations about the suitability of older politicians for the presidency.
Atiku himself previously acknowledged that the 2027 election could represent his final attempt to become president.
Responding to a question on whether reaching the age of 80 by the time of the election would make the contest more significant, Atiku said the stakes would indeed be higher.
“Certainly yes, because the stakes are higher and I believe that will be my last outing,” he said.
Kwankwaso’s latest appeal appears to build on that acknowledgment, although his comments also reflect the intense political rivalry that is likely to characterise the approach to the 2027 election.
The NDC presidential ticket, which includes Peter Obi as presidential candidate and Kwankwaso as his running mate, is expected to face competition from several political alliances and established political figures.
Atiku emerged as the presidential candidate of the ADC after joining the party as part of efforts to build a broad opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 election. His political movement has attracted several opposition figures seeking an alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Kwankwaso, however, appears to be urging Atiku and his supporters to reconsider the former vice president’s presidential ambition on the grounds of age and health rather than continue another electoral contest.
His appeal was also framed in terms of respect for Atiku’s traditional status as the Wazirin Adamawa. Kwankwaso suggested that the former vice president could concentrate on his traditional responsibilities while allowing younger political actors to take the lead in the presidential contest.
The remarks are likely to generate further debate over age, political experience and succession in Nigeria’s leadership.
The question of the age of presidential candidates has become an increasingly prominent issue in Nigerian politics, particularly as voters and political parties consider the demands of governing a country of more than 200 million people.
Supporters of older politicians often point to their extensive experience, institutional knowledge and understanding of national affairs, while critics argue that leadership positions require physical energy, long-term capacity and the ability to respond effectively to the demands of modern governance.
For Kwankwaso, however, Atiku’s age and health should be sufficient reasons for him to reconsider another presidential bid.
His promise that Atiku would be “taken good care of” if the NDC wins also appears intended to reassure supporters of the former vice president that stepping aside from the presidential race would not mean abandoning his political relevance or diminishing his standing.
With the 2027 election approaching, the intervention is expected to fuel further discussions within opposition circles over the choice of candidates, generational transition and the future direction of Nigeria’s political leadership.
