2027: Kwankwaso Rules Out NDC Withdrawal for ADC, Other Parties -

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has ruled out any possibility of the party withdrawing its presidential ticket in favour of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) or any other political party ahead of the 2027 general election.

Kwankwaso made the position clear in a statement posted on his verified Facebook page on Sunday, amid growing tensions between the NDC and the ADC Presidential Campaign Council over opposition strategies ahead of the election.

The former Kano State governor also accused the ADC campaign team of launching unnecessary attacks against him, the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and the party, instead of focusing on presenting its candidate’s credentials and policy proposals.

The controversy followed an earlier allegation by the ADC Presidential Campaign Council that Kwankwaso was advancing President Bola Tinubu’s political interests by urging former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to step aside for Obi in the 2027 presidential race.

The council’s Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, made the allegation in a statement on Friday while reacting to Kwankwaso’s interview on Channels Television.

Ologbondiyan described Kwankwaso’s intervention as self-serving, arguing that it could deepen divisions within the opposition at a time when Nigerians were seeking an alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress-led administration.

He also questioned why Kwankwaso was directing his attention at opposition figures rather than challenging the Tinubu administration over economic hardship, hunger, poverty and insecurity.

Responding to the criticism, Kwankwaso dismissed suggestions that the NDC could abandon the presidential race at the last minute to support the ADC, describing such claims as unfounded.

“Let me state clearly and unequivocally: we will not withdraw our candidature for the ADC or any other party. We remain confident in our capacity, competence, and readiness to lead Nigeria,” he said.

He further rejected allegations that the NDC presidential ticket, which he referred to as the “OK ticket”, was working for the APC or any of its candidates.

According to him, the claims could be repeated closer to the election in an attempt to mislead NDC supporters and weaken confidence in the party’s presidential ambition.

Kwankwaso challenged the ADC campaign council to concentrate on issues surrounding its own candidate, including allegations reportedly raised by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, rather than attacking the NDC leadership.

He also criticised both the APC-led government and the ADC, arguing that neither offered the kind of alternative Nigerians needed to address the country’s political, economic and social challenges.

The NDC chieftain said his party’s presidential ticket was committed to tackling insecurity, improving education, strengthening agriculture, developing infrastructure, expanding access to healthcare and reviving the economy.

He maintained that the ticket possessed the credibility, competence and national support required to implement its proposed agenda, with backing from supporters across northern and southern Nigeria.

Kwankwaso added that the NDC intended to promote national unity, bridge existing divisions and pursue solutions to the country’s pressing challenges.

He urged party supporters and other Nigerians who shared the party’s vision to remain steadfast and continue mobilising support ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

“I, therefore, urge all our supporters and well-meaning Nigerians to continue working toward the victory of our great party,” he said.