Former Kano State Governor and vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has firmly rejected suggestions that he and his running mate, Peter Obi, plan to step aside for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Atiku Abubakar, or any other contender ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
In a Facebook statement issued on Sunday, Kwankwaso accused the ADC Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) of spreading “mischievous” narratives aimed at misleading voters. He described claims that the NDC’s “Obi-Kwankwaso (OK) ticket” is secretly working for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or preparing a last-minute withdrawal 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,” Kwankwaso declared.
He added: “The OK ticket is neither working for nor acting on behalf of 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.”
The statement comes amid rising tensions between the two opposition camps. The ADC-PCC, through its spokesperson Kola Ologbondiyan, had earlier accused Kwankwaso of aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s APC. The council claimed Kwankwaso’s public call for Atiku to step aside and support Obi was designed to split the opposition vote and ultimately benefit the ruling party. It also suggested Kwankwaso was prioritising personal political ambitions over opposition unity.
Kwankwaso responded by urging the ADC campaign to concentrate on presenting its own candidate’s vision and record rather than attacking rivals. He specifically advised the ADC to address recent criticisms from Vice President Kashim Shettima, who had mocked Atiku’s repeated presidential bids and questioned the feasibility of his economic proposals, including production subsidies.
Kwankwaso maintained that the APC-led government has failed Nigerians and that the ADC does not offer a better alternative. He positioned the OK ticket as a “healing ticket” with proven capacity, a strong track record, credibility, and support across both northern and southern Nigeria. The ticket, he said, is focused on tackling insecurity, education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, and economic revitalisation.
We believe NDC remains the country’s most formidable and viable opposition party,” Kwankwaso stated, calling on supporters and well-meaning Nigerians to continue working for the party’s victory. He ended the statement with the slogan: “Nigeria will be OK. – RMK.
This report is based on coverage originally published by Premium Times Nigeria.
