KANO: Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has declared that the party will not withdraw from the 2027 presidential election in favour of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) or any other political party.
Kwankwaso made the position clear in a statement on Sunday, October 18, 2026, amid a growing disagreement between the NDC and the ADC over opposition strategy ahead of the 2027 general election.
The former Kano State governor said he and Peter Obi, the NDC presidential candidate, remained committed to contesting the election, dismissing suggestions that their ticket could step aside for the ADC.
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.
His statement followed accusations by the ADC Presidential Campaign Council that his political activities and comments about opposition leaders could weaken the opposition and indirectly benefit President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The disagreement intensified after Kwankwaso called on former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the ADC presidential candidate, to step aside for Obi ahead of the 2027 election.
The call triggered a response from the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, whose Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, accused Kwankwaso of directing his criticism at opposition figures instead of concentrating on the Tinubu-led APC government.
In a statement issued on Friday, the ADC campaign council alleged that Kwankwaso’s approach risked dividing opposition supporters at a time when political parties opposed to the ruling party were preparing for the next presidential contest.
The council suggested that such disagreements could undermine efforts to build a united opposition capable of challenging the APC in 2027.
However, Kwankwaso rejected the accusations, describing the attacks against himself, Obi and the NDC as unnecessary and unhelpful.
He accused the ADC campaign team of attempting to create controversy around his party rather than presenting its own candidate’s credentials and policy proposals to Nigerians.
“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, he said.
The NDC vice-presidential candidate also rejected suggestions that his party was working in the interest of the APC or planning to abandon the presidential race at the last minute.
According to him, the allegations were unfounded, insisting that the NDC remained committed to its presidential ticket and had no reason to withdraw in favour of the ADC.
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, Kwankwaso stated.
He warned that the allegations could create confusion among NDC supporters, particularly if claims of a possible withdrawal resurfaced shortly before election day.
Kwankwaso suggested that the ADC campaign council might be better served by addressing allegations against its presidential candidate that had reportedly been raised by Vice-President Kashim Shettima rather than attacking him and Obi.
The statement did not provide further details of the specific allegations he referenced.
Beyond defending the NDC ticket, Kwankwaso criticised the APC-led Federal Government, declaring that it had failed Nigerians.
He also argued that the ADC did not offer a better alternative, positioning the NDC as a credible opposition platform ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
“The APC-led government has failed Nigerians. The ADC offers no better alternative,” he said.
Kwankwaso maintained that the NDC ticket had the capacity, experience and public support needed to govern the country, claiming that its appeal extended across northern and southern Nigeria.
He described the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket as a unifying platform capable of addressing Nigeria’s political divisions and major economic and social challenges.
According to him, the ticket intends to focus on critical sectors, including security, education, agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare and the economy.
The former Kano governor also urged NDC supporters and other Nigerians who share the party’s objectives to remain committed to its campaign.
“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,” he said.
The disagreement between the NDC and the ADC highlights the continuing debate over whether opposition parties should maintain separate presidential tickets or pursue a common candidate to challenge the ruling APC in 2027.
While Kwankwaso insists that the NDC will contest the election with Obi as its presidential candidate, the ADC campaign council has raised concerns about the impact of his comments on opposition unity.
The latest exchange also underscores the political tensions surrounding the ambitions of major opposition figures, including Obi, Kwankwaso and Atiku Abubakar.
For now, Kwankwaso has ruled out withdrawing the NDC ticket in favour of the ADC, making it clear that his party intends to pursue its own presidential ambition.
Whether the opposition parties eventually reach an agreement on cooperation or continue with separate candidates remains a key question as preparations for the 2027 general election progress.
