A chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Asiwaju Moshood Shittu, has urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to step down in favour of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
He made the call among growing strategic realignment within Nigeria’s opposition ahead of the 2027 general election, as parties seek to consolidate their strengths to present a formidable challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Shittu, a former National Chairman of the defunct Alliance National Party (ANP) and Director-General (North) of Kwankwaso’s 2023 presidential campaign, made the call while emphasizing the need for a unified opposition front.
“We have been calling for alliances from different angles, and in my opinion, as a chieftain of the NNPP, I am also calling for Atiku Abubakar—who is also part of this merger—to step down because of his age and other factors,” Shittu said.
Atiku, who has contested the presidency multiple times without success, is being urged to make way for a fresh candidate with broader appeal and a stronger political track record.
“We, as an opposition alliance, must have a direction. Among all the probable candidates, Kwankwaso is the best alternative if we truly want better governance in 2027,” Shittu stated.
Highlighting Kwankwaso’s experience, he pointed to the former Kano State Governor’s extensive political career, which includes serving as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives in the Third Republic, Minister of Defence, Special Envoy, and member of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Board.
“Kwankwaso has paid his dues in politics and governance. His track record is unmatched,” Shittu argued.
He continued that neither Atiku nor former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi possesses the same level of credibility, competence, exposure, and experience needed to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
