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 made the declaration in a statement posted on X.
The vice presidential candidate of the NDC was responding to the ADC Presidential Campaign Council’s criticism of his recent comments on the opposition’s 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 concentrating on presenting its own candidate to Nigerians.
He also rejected 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.
The development comes after the ADC Presidential Campaign Council accused Kwankwaso of advancing Tinubu’s political interests by calling on former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to step down for Obi ahead of the 2027 election.
The ADC-PCC 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 and alleged that it could deepen divisions within the opposition at a time when parties were expected to work towards defeating the APC in 2027.
The ADC spokesman questioned why Kwankwaso was concentrating on opposition leaders rather than challenging the Tinubu administration over economic hardship, hunger, poverty and insecurity.
He also 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.
However, Kwankwaso dismissed the allegations and maintained that his party would not abandon its ambition to lead Nigeria.
In his statement, he said, “I have noted with deep concern the conduct of the ADC campaign team. The attacks directed at me, our presidential candidate His Excellency Peter Obi, and our party, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), are unnecessary and unhelpful.”
He accused the ADC Presidential Campaign Council of attempting to create confusion around the NDC’s presidential ambition instead of focusing on the strengths and qualifications of its own candidate.
“Rather than focusing on presenting the competence, credibility, and capacity of their own candidate as we have consistently done by placing our credentials and record of achievements before Nigerians, the ADC Presidential Campaign Council appears intent on creating mischief against our party and ticket,” Kwankwaso stated.
He said the alleged campaign against the NDC included attempts to portray the party as an ally of the ruling APC and suggestions that Obi could withdraw from the presidential race at the last minute in favour of the ADC candidate.
Kwankwaso warned that such claims could be used to mislead NDC supporters as the election approached.
“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. We remain confident in our capacity, competence, and readiness to lead Nigeria,” he said.
“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,” he added.
Kwankwaso also criticised both the APC-led government and the ADC, arguing that neither offered a better alternative to the NDC.
He said the ruling party had failed Nigerians and maintained that his party possessed the experience, credibility and national support required to address the country’s challenges.
“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,” Kwankwaso said.
The former governor also maintained that the NDC remained the country’s most formidable opposition party and urged its supporters to remain committed to its political ambition.
“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.
The statement reads in full:
I have noted with deep concern the conduct of the ADC campaign team. The attacks directed at me, our presidential candidate His Excellency Peter Obi, and our party, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), are unnecessary and unhelpful.
Rather than focusing on presenting the competence, credibility, and capacity of their own candidate as we have consistently done by placing our credentials and record of achievements before Nigerians, the ADC Presidential Campaign Council appears intent on creating mischief against our party and ticket. This includes attempts to portray us as working for the ruling party or to suggest that we may withdraw from the race in favour of the ADC candidate at the last minute.
The ADC-PCC would be better served directing its energy toward rebutting the serious allegations levelled against their candidate by the Vice President, His Excellency Kashim Shettima, instead of targeting me and His Excellency Peter Obi.
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. We remain confident in our capacity, competence, and readiness to lead Nigeria.
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.
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. It is a healing ticket committed to uniting our country and tackling critical challenges in security, education, agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare, the economy, and other key sectors.
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.
Nigeria will be OK. – RMK
