Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has asked former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to step down from the 2027 presidential race.
The former Governor of Kano State spoke on Monday at his residence in Abuja during a meeting with members of the Fulani Farmers Association.
Kwankwaso, who is the running mate to NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi, urged Atiku to reconsider his political ambitions, citing his age and health. He added that he and Obi would ensure the former vice-president is well looked after if they win the presidency.
“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 in Hausa. “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’s Presidential History
Abubakar has sought the nation’s top office six times, appearing on the ballot as a mainstream presidential candidate on three occasions: 2007, 2019, and 2023. In April, the former vice-president, who turns 81 next year, stated that the 2027 general election would be his final attempt at the presidency.
**Controversy Over Traditional Title**
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 the previous titleholder, Muhammad Abba. Prior to that, Atiku held the title of *Turaki of Adamawa* from 1982 until it was passed to his son, Aliyu.
The *Wazirin Adamawa* is a premier traditional office in the Adamawa Emirate, with the holder serving as the emir’s prime minister, most senior councillor, kingmaker, and principal adviser.
However, in 2025, the Adamawa State Government issued a directive requiring all traditional council members and kingmakers to be indigenes of the specific emirates or chiefdoms they represent. The policy reportedly stripped Atiku of the *Wazirin* title, as he hails from Jada within the Ganye Emirate rather than the central Adamawa Emirate.
