The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has ruled out the possibility of his party withdrawing from the 2027 presidential election in favour of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Kwankwaso, who is running alongside the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, expressed confidence in the party’s chances of winning the election, dismissing speculation that the ticket could step down for another opposition candidate.
In a statement published on his official Facebook page, the former Kano State governor accused the ADC Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) of concentrating on attacks against him, Obi and the NDC rather than presenting its candidate’s agenda to Nigerians.
He described suggestions that the NDC was working for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or planning to withdraw from the presidential race as baseless attempts to mislead voters.
“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,” Kwankwaso said.
He further maintained that the NDC presidential ticket, which he described as the “OK ticket”, was neither working for the APC nor acting on behalf of any faction within the ruling party.
Kwankwaso also accused the ADC campaign team of engaging in what he called political mischief, urging supporters to disregard any claims that the NDC had endorsed another candidate or planned to step down ahead of the election.
He challenged the ADC-PCC to address allegations reportedly made against its presidential candidate by Vice-President Kashim Shettima rather than focusing on the NDC leadership.
Criticising the APC-led administration, Kwankwaso said the government had failed Nigerians but argued that the ADC did not represent a better alternative.
He described the NDC as the country’s most formidable opposition party and urged its supporters to remain committed to securing victory in 2027.
According to him, the party intends to prioritise security, education, agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare, economic development and national unity if elected.
“Nigeria will be OK,” he added.
Meanwhile, the ADC-PCC has dismissed Kwankwaso’s response as diversionary, insisting that his remarks have raised further questions about his alleged political alignment with the APC and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The council had earlier advised Kwankwaso to stop attacking former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and redirect his attention towards holding the ruling party accountable for its performance.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the ADC-PCC Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, argued that Kwankwaso had failed to address the substance of the council’s concerns.
The council questioned why the NDC vice-presidential candidate was concentrating on the ADC and its presidential candidate instead of challenging the APC over the country’s economic and security challenges.
“Why is Kwankwaso making our candidate the issue instead of confronting the ruling APC, whose policies have made life increasingly difficult for millions of Nigerians?” the council asked.
The ADC-PCC further argued that Nigerians were more concerned about hunger, insecurity, high fuel prices, the depreciation of the naira and worsening living conditions than exchanges between opposition figures.
The dispute highlights growing tensions among opposition parties as political alignments and rivalries intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
With Kwankwaso insisting that the NDC will remain in the presidential contest and the ADC questioning his approach to opposition politics, the relationship between the two camps could become an important factor in the broader struggle to challenge the APC’s hold on power.
