Former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has declared that the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, will not withdraw from the 2027 presidential race in favour of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) or any other political party.
Kwankwaso, who is the vice-presidential candidate on the NDC ticket, made the declaration in a statement posted on X while responding to criticism from the ADC Presidential Campaign Council over his recent comments on opposition preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The former governor accused the ADC campaign team of directing unnecessary attacks at him, Obi and the NDC instead of focusing on presenting its own candidate to Nigerians.
He also dismissed allegations that the NDC was working for President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that his party remained committed to contesting the presidential election.
Kwankwaso Accuses ADC Campaign Team of Attacking NDC
Kwankwaso expressed concern over what he described as attacks against the NDC leadership and its presidential ticket by the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.
According to him, the opposition party should concentrate on explaining the competence, credibility and capacity of its own candidate rather than attempting to create confusion around the NDC’s presidential ambition.
He argued that the NDC had consistently presented its credentials and record of achievements to Nigerians and accused the ADC campaign team of trying to portray his party as an ally of the ruling APC.
Kwankwaso also alleged that the ADC-PCC was attempting to create the impression that Obi could withdraw from the presidential race at the last minute in favour of the ADC candidate.
He warned that such claims could mislead NDC supporters as the 2027 election approaches.
‘We Will Not Withdraw for ADC or Any Other Party’
Addressing the possibility of Obi stepping down for the ADC candidate, Kwankwaso categorically rejected the suggestion, maintaining that the NDC would remain in the presidential contest.
“We are aware that the ADC-PCC may try to mislead our supporters on the eve of the election by claiming that we intend to withdraw in their favour. Let me state clearly and unequivocally: we will not withdraw our candidature for the ADC or any other party,” he said.
The former governor added that the NDC remained confident in its capacity and readiness to lead Nigeria.
He also rejected allegations that the NDC’s presidential ticket was working on behalf of Tinubu or the APC.
“The OK ticket is neither working for nor acting on behalf of the APC or any of its candidates. We see no possibility or reason to withdraw from the presidential race in favour of the ADC candidate or any other. These claims are unfounded and should be treated as such,” Kwankwaso stated.
ADC Had Accused Kwankwaso of Advancing Tinubu’s Interests
The controversy followed allegations by the ADC Presidential Campaign Council that Kwankwaso was advancing Tinubu’s political interests after calling on former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to step aside for Obi ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The ADC-PCC Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, made the allegation in a statement issued on Friday in response to Kwankwaso’s interview on Channels Television.
Ologbondiyan described Kwankwaso’s intervention as self-serving and argued that it could deepen divisions within the opposition at a time when parties were expected to work towards defeating the APC.
The ADC spokesman also questioned why Kwankwaso was focusing on opposition leaders rather than challenging the Tinubu administration over economic hardship, hunger, poverty and insecurity.
He further alleged that Kwankwaso was more concerned about positioning himself for the 2031 presidential election than building a united opposition ahead of the next general election.
Kwankwaso, however, dismissed the accusations and maintained that the NDC had no intention of abandoning its presidential ambition.
Kwankwaso Says APC Has Failed Nigerians
The former Kano governor also criticised the APC-led government, arguing that it had failed to address the country’s major challenges.
He equally rejected the suggestion that the ADC represented a better alternative, insisting that the NDC ticket offered Nigerians a credible option.
“The APC-led government has failed Nigerians. The ADC offers no better alternative. We believe the OK ticket presents a credible and viable option, backed by proven capacity, a strong track record, credibility, and broad support across both Northern and Southern Nigeria,” he said.
Kwankwaso described the NDC ticket as a unifying platform committed to addressing insecurity, education, agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare and economic challenges.
He maintained that the party had the experience, national support and credibility required to lead the country.
Kwankwaso Urges NDC Supporters to Remain Committed
Despite the growing disagreement between the NDC and the ADC, Kwankwaso urged his supporters and other Nigerians who shared the party’s political vision to remain committed to its ambition.
He described the NDC as the country’s most formidable and viable opposition party and called on supporters to continue working towards its victory in the 2027 general elections.
“We believe the NDC remains the most formidable and viable opposition party in the country. I therefore urge all our supporters and well-meaning Nigerians to continue working toward the victory of our great party,” he stated.
Kwankwaso concluded his statement with the message, “Nigeria will be OK. – RMK.”
His remarks highlight the continuing disagreements among opposition figures over candidate selection, political alliances and strategies for challenging the APC in the 2027 presidential election.