Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has rejected claims that the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential ticket will withdraw from the 2027 race in favour of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
Kwankwaso, the NDC vice-presidential candidate and running mate to Peter Obi, made the clarification in a statement posted on his verified X account on Sunday.
He accused the ADC Presidential Campaign Council of directing “unnecessary and unhelpful” attacks at him, Obi and the NDC.
The statement followed a growing dispute between the two opposition camps after Kwankwaso called on Atiku to step aside for Obi.
In a recent interview with Channels Television, Kwankwaso confirmed that he had urged groups of Fulani leaders to persuade Atiku to abandon presidential ambition, arguing that a new political arrangement was needed ahead of the election, according to vanguard.
The ADC campaign council subsequently accused Kwankwaso of pursuing personal political ambitions and helping President Bola Tinubu’s re-election prospects by dividing the opposition.
Its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, said Kwankwaso should focus on challenging the APC-led government rather than asking Atiku, the ADC candidate, to withdraw, Punch reported.
The ADC also questioned Kwankwaso’s national influence and suggested that his intervention was aimed at positioning himself for a possible presidential bid in 2031.
The council urged him and his supporters to back Atiku as the opposition’s strongest route to defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Kwankwaso’s latest statement directly dismissed those allegations. He said the Obi-Kwankwaso “OK ticket” was not working for Tinubu or the APC and insisted that neither he nor the NDC intended to withdraw from the presidential contest.
“We will not withdraw our candidature for the ADC or any other party,” Kwankwaso said, adding that the ticket remained confident in its capacity and readiness to lead Nigeria.
He also accused the ADC of attempting to mislead NDC supporters by suggesting that the party could step aside shortly before the election.
Kwankwaso further challenged the ADC campaign council to respond to criticisms recently directed at Atiku by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, rather than concentrating on Obi and the NDC.
Shettima has questioned the ADC candidate’s economic proposals while campaigning for Tinubu’s re-election.
The exchange highlights the widening rivalry among Nigeria’s opposition parties as preparations for the 2027 presidential election intensify.
While the ADC is presenting Atiku as the candidate best positioned to unite the opposition against the APC, the NDC is promoting the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket as a separate national alternative.
Kwankwaso described the NDC ticket as a “healing” platform with support across northern and southern Nigeria. He said it would focus on insecurity, education, agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare and the economy.
The political dispute remains unresolved, with both camps maintaining that their candidate offers the strongest path to defeating the APC.
For now, Kwankwaso’s message is unequivocal: the NDC intends to remain in the race, and the “OK ticket” will not step aside for Atiku or any other candidate.
