The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has explained why he wants former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race and allow Peter Obi to lead the opposition’s bid for the presidency.
Kwankwaso made the disclosure during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he confirmed that he was asking Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), to step aside.
Asked whether he wanted Atiku to abandon his presidential ambition, the former Kano State governor responded in the affirmative.
Kwankwaso explained that his position was not driven by personal hostility towards Atiku, stressing that the two politicians had maintained a long-standing political relationship spanning more than three decades.
He traced their association to 1993, when both were involved in the political movement led by the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua. According to him, the group supported Atiku’s bid to secure the presidential ticket of the then Social Democratic Party.
He also recalled their political cooperation during the transition to civilian rule in 1999 and subsequent elections, including the 2003 and 2011 contests.
Kwankwaso further noted that they were both presidential aspirants under the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2015 election, which Muhammadu Buhari eventually won.
Explaining his current position, Kwankwaso said political relationships and ambitions must sometimes give way to new arrangements, adding that his appeal should not be interpreted as opposition to Atiku personally.
He disclosed that he had recently encouraged a group of Fulani visitors who came to his residence to speak with Atiku about stepping aside before returning to their communities.
The NDC vice-presidential candidate’s comments come amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general election, with opposition figures divided over candidate selection and the best strategy to challenge President Bola Tinubu.
Obi is the NDC’s presidential candidate, with Kwankwaso as his running mate, while Atiku is seeking the presidency under the ADC.
Kwankwaso’s appeal adds another layer to the debate over whether opposition parties can establish a common political front ahead of the election.
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