An adviser to the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, David Mark, Chile Igbawua, has criticised the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Rabiu Kwankwaso, over his call for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race.
Igbawua said Kwankwaso’s suggestion that Atiku should step aside because of his age and health, with a promise that the NDC would take care of him if it wins the election, was disrespectful to the former vice president.
Speaking on Arise News, Igbawua argued that the statement was also damaging to the NDC because it could give the impression that the party’s concern was more about taking care of politicians than addressing the problems facing ordinary Nigerians.
He questioned what Kwankwaso meant by taking care of Atiku after the election, saying winning political power should be about providing good governance and improving the lives of citizens rather than offering personal support to political figures.
Igbawua said Kwankwaso could have presented his argument differently by asking Atiku to step aside and later contribute his experience and advice to a new administration. He said such an approach would have been easier to understand than promising to personally look after the former vice president.
He further argued that the comment could create more division among opposition politicians at a time when different opposition groups are seeking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2027 election.
According to him, political statements should be carefully considered because words that appear disrespectful to another opposition leader could make cooperation among the parties more difficult.
Kwankwaso had earlier asked Atiku to withdraw from the 2027 presidential contest. He made the appeal on Monday at his Abuja residence during a meeting with members of the Fulani Farmers Association.
The former Kano State governor cited Atiku’s age and health as reasons he should reconsider his presidential ambition. He also said that if the NDC wins the 2027 election, its members would take care of Atiku, without giving details of what that would involve.
The development comes amid preparations by opposition parties for the 2027 presidential election, with Atiku and Peter Obi emerging as major figures in the opposition camp.
Atiku is expected to contest the presidential election on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, with former Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, as his running mate.
Obi, on the other hand, is set to contest under the Nigerian Democratic Congress, with Kwankwaso as his running mate.
Igbawua’s criticism adds to the growing disagreement between supporters of the two opposition camps over who should lead the challenge against the APC in 2027.