The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has dismissed reports suggesting its vice-presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, threatened to leave the party over disagreements surrounding candidate selection in Kano State.
Speaking on Arise News on Saturday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, described the claims as unfounded speculation aimed at creating the impression of a crisis within the party.
“At no point did our leader, Kwankwaso, threaten to leave the NDC. Those reports are nothing more than media speculation designed to undermine the party, and we know where they are coming from,” he said.
The clarification follows reports that Kwankwaso was unhappy with recent adjustments to the party’s list of candidates in Kano, where some nominees initially submitted by the Kwankwasiyya movement were replaced.
The controversy emerged after the NDC leadership in Kano reportedly reviewed the list to maintain an existing power-sharing arrangement between the Kwankwasiyya bloc and the party’s established structure in the state.
Under the arrangement, the Kwankwasiyya group is said to hold 60 per cent of party positions and elective tickets, while the remaining 40 per cent is allocated to the existing NDC structure.
The development fueled speculation that the former Kano State governor might reconsider his place in the party if members of his political camp were sidelined.
However, Director insisted that no such threat was made, stressing that consultations were ongoing to address concerns raised by stakeholders.
According to him, disagreements over nominations are common in political parties, particularly in a growing coalition preparing for a major election.
“There are always challenges in party-building. In Delta State, for example, there were allegations that an incumbent supported several aspirants against Collins Edema. These are issues that arise in politics, and they can be resolved through dialogue,” he said.
The NDC, formed in 2026, has quickly positioned itself as a key opposition platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Its presidential ticket, pairing former Anambra State governor Peter Obi with Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has attracted significant public attention as political activities intensify across the country.
Director maintained that the party remains focused on strengthening its structures and resolving internal issues through consultation.
“There are challenges, but they are normal in party-building. We remain committed to resolving them through dialogue and moving forward together,” he added.
