Former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has ruled out withdrawing from the 2027 presidential race in favour of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), insisting that his joint ticket with Peter Obi remains committed to contesting the election.
Kwankwaso, the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), made the position clear in a statement on Sunday, October 18, amid growing disagreements between the two opposition camps over efforts to build a common front against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The former defence minister dismissed suggestions that the NDC might abandon its presidential ticket for the ADC as the election approaches, describing such claims as unfounded.
“Let me state clearly and unequivocally: we will not withdraw our candidature for the ADC or any other party,” Kwankwaso said.
He also rejected allegations that his party was secretly working to advance President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign, maintaining that the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket was pursuing its own political agenda.
Kwankwaso’s comments followed criticism from the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, which accused him of directing attacks at the opposition party rather than focusing on the APC-led government.
The council’s Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, had questioned Kwankwaso’s call for former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to step aside in favour of Obi.
The ADC camp argued that such interventions could deepen divisions among opposition groups at a time when some political leaders are exploring ways to cooperate ahead of the 2027 election.
In response, Kwankwaso accused the ADC campaign team of making unnecessary attacks against him, Obi and the NDC instead of presenting its candidate’s credentials and policy proposals to Nigerians.
He urged opposition politicians to focus on issues affecting citizens rather than engaging in exchanges that could further strain relations between their parties.
Kwankwaso maintained that the NDC ticket, popularly referred to as the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket, offers a different political option from both the APC and the ADC.
He cited security, education, agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare and the economy as key areas the ticket intends to address.
He also argued that the alliance has the experience and support it needs to appeal to Nigerians across the North and South.
These statements reflect the NDC ticket’s own assessment of its prospects, rather than an independently established measure of nationwide support.
The disagreement comes as opposition figures continue discussing possible cooperation ahead of the 2027 general election. The G100 coalition has been exploring arrangements that could bring parties together behind a common presidential candidate.
However, competing ambitions and disagreements over which candidate should lead any alliance remain obstacles to a unified strategy.
Kwankwaso’s latest declaration makes clear that the NDC ticket does not intend to withdraw in favour of the ADC under the current position it has publicly stated.
Whether opposition parties can reach a broader agreement on electoral cooperation remains unresolved as political consultations continue.