ADC Chieftain Tackles Kwankwaso, Claims It’s An Insult To Call For Atiku’s Retirement | Sahara Reporters
His criticism followed remarks by Kwankwaso in which the former Kano governor urged Atiku to reconsider his decision to contest the 2027 presidential election.
An African Democratic Congress (ADC) Chieftain and Adviser to the party’s National Chairman, Chile Igbawua, has criticised former Kano State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, over his call for former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race.
Igbawua described Kwankwaso’s suggestion that Atiku should step aside because of his age and health as an insult to the ADC presidential candidate, questioning the implication of the former governor’s promise to “take care” of Atiku if the NDC wins the 2027 elections.
Speaking on the development on Arise TV, Igbawua said, “To suggest that Atiku should step down and if they win they will take care of him is an insult. Take care of him in what way? Is that the essence of winning the election for Nigeria? You don’t want to take care of Nigeria, you want to take care of Atiku.”
According to the ADC chieftain, Kwankwaso’s remarks could damage the NDC’s political standing ahead of the 2027 presidential election, particularly at a time when opposition parties are attempting to consolidate their forces against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Kwankwaso has done a lot of damage for NDC by saying that. You don’t insult somebody with words you cannot defend,” Igbawua said.
His criticism followed remarks by Kwankwaso in which the former Kano governor urged Atiku to reconsider his decision to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Kwankwaso made the call while speaking with members of the Fulani Farmers Association who visited him at his Abuja residence.
Atiku is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a platform that has brought together several opposition politicians ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Kwankwaso had urged members of the association to appeal to Atiku to withdraw from the presidential race and concentrate instead on his traditional responsibilities as the Wazirin Adamawa.
Citing Atiku’s age and health, 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.”
“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.
It was the reference to taking care of Atiku that particularly drew Igbawua’s criticism, with the ADC chieftain questioning whether the purpose of winning a presidential election should be to provide personal care for a political opponent rather than address the needs of Nigerians.
The exchange comes amid increasing political manoeuvring among opposition parties and political figures ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The ADC has emerged as one of the platforms attracting prominent opposition politicians, with Atiku at the centre of its presidential campaign. Kwankwaso, meanwhile, is seeking the presidency under the NDC as the party’s vice-presidential candidate.
The rivalry between the two political figures is not new. Both Atiku and Kwankwaso contested the 2023 presidential election under different political platforms, with Atiku representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Kwankwaso contesting under the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Atiku has contested the Nigerian presidency several times and previously acknowledged that the 2027 election could be his final attempt to become president.
In April, the former vice-president said his age and the significance of the 2027 election had raised the stakes for his latest presidential bid.
With the opposition landscape becoming increasingly competitive, comments by prominent political figures are expected to shape alliances, campaign narratives and voter perceptions ahead of the 2027 election.