By Eshioromeh Sebastian
Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has urged former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to abandon his 2027 presidential ambition, citing his age and health, and promising that he and his principal, Peter Obi, will “take care of” the elder statesman if they win.
Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State, made the appeal on Monday at his residence in Abuja during a meeting with members of the Fulani Farmers Association.
According to the NDC vice-presidential candidate, Atiku, who will turn 81 next year, should concentrate on his traditional title as Wazirin Adamawa rather than seeking the presidency again.
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 added: “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.”
Atiku has contested the presidency six times, appearing on the ballot as a presidential candidate in 2007, 2019 and 2023. In April, he stated that the 2027 general election would be his last attempt at the nation’s highest office.
The former vice-president was conferred 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 the previous titleholder, Muhammad Abba.
Before that, he had held the title of Turaki of Adamawa since 1982, a title later passed to his son, Aliyu.
The Wazirin Adamawa is a high-ranking traditional title in the Adamawa Emirate. The holder serves as the emir’s prime minister, most senior councillor, kingmaker and close adviser.
However, in 2025, the Adamawa State Government issued a directive requiring all kingmakers and traditional council members to be indigenes of the emirates or chiefdoms they represent.
The policy was said to have stripped Atiku of the Wazirin title, as he hails from Jada in the Ganye Emirate.
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