Kwankwaso Has Asked Atiku to Retire From Politics, Because Apparently 2027 Is Now a Family Meeting

Nigeria’s opposition is trying to defeat Tinubu, but first they must defeat each other.

Rabiu Kwankwaso has asked Atiku Abubakar to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race, citing the former vice-president’s age and health. He even asked Atiku’s supporters to tell him to concentrate on his traditional role as the Wazirin Adamawa, promising that he and Peter Obi would “take good care of him” if their ticket wins.

Now, if you read that sentence slowly, you will understand why Nigerian politics is basically the country’s longest-running reality show.

Imagine somebody telling you, “Sir, please leave the presidential race. Go and rest. If we win, we will take care of you.”

That is not a political statement.

That is Nigerian auntie energy.

It is giving: “Uncle, you have tried. Please sit down. Let the younger ones handle this.”

The interesting thing is that Kwankwaso himself is not exactly calling from outside the political bus. He is Peter Obi’s running mate under the Nigeria Democratic Congress, meaning he has his own presidential ambitions packed neatly into the boot. So this is basically one presidential hopeful telling another presidential hopeful, “Please remove yourself from the queue. Your time is finished.”

And Atiku? The man has already said 2027 could be his final attempt. He has contested the presidency several times, including 2007, 2019 and 2023, and apparently still believes there is one more miracle hiding somewhere between Adamawa and Abuja.

Honestly, Nigerian politicians have perfected the art of saying “this is my last time” with the confidence of somebody who knows there is still another season coming.

Atiku says this is his final outing.

Kwankwaso says, “No, boss, make it your final-final.”

Meanwhile, Peter Obi is standing somewhere in the background like a man who has already booked the venue.

And this is the biggest joke of the whole thing: everybody says the opposition must unite to defeat Tinubu, but they are currently spending valuable political energy deciding who should leave the WhatsApp group first.

At this rate, by 2027, Tinubu may not even need to campaign.

The opposition might simply hold a meeting, argue over the presidential ticket, accuse each other of betrayal, release three statements and go home.

Nigeria will still be waiting for the candidate.