Former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso has appealed to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to drop his presidential ambition and support the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the 2027 general election.
Kwankwaso, who is the NDC vice-presidential candidate, made the appeal on Thursday while receiving members of the Fulani Farmers Association at his residence in Abuja.
The former governor urged Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), to back the NDC ticket as opposition politicians intensify efforts to build a formidable platform against President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Step down for us; if we win, we will take care of you,” Kwankwaso said.
The call adds to the ongoing political manoeuvring among opposition figures seeking to consolidate their support ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku remains a major contender in the opposition camp, while Kwankwaso and NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi are also central figures in the ongoing realignment.
Kwankwaso and Obi were previously linked to the ADC before their departure in May, with the duo citing internal divisions and legal disputes within the party.
Their subsequent movement to the NDC has further reshaped negotiations among opposition politicians seeking a common platform to challenge the APC in 2027.
Kwankwaso’s latest appeal to Atiku therefore places renewed focus on the possibility of cooperation among the opposition blocs, particularly efforts to prevent multiple candidates from splitting the anti-APC vote.
