The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, has ruled out withdrawing the party’s presidential ticket in favour of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) or any other party ahead of the 2027 general election.
Kwankwaso stated this on Sunday in a post on his verified Facebook page, while criticising the ADC Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) over its recent comments about him and the NDC leadership.
DDM reported that the ADC-PCC had accused Kwankwaso of advancing President Bola Tinubu’s political interests after he called on former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to step aside for Peter Obi in the 2027 presidential race.
The council’s Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, made the allegation in a statement on Friday, describing Kwankwaso’s intervention as self-serving and capable of deepening divisions within the opposition.
Ologbondiyan also questioned why Kwankwaso was focusing on opposition leaders rather than challenging the Tinubu administration over economic hardship, hunger, poverty and insecurity.
In response, Kwankwaso accused the ADC campaign team of making unnecessary attacks against him, the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and the party.
He alleged that rather than presenting its candidate’s credentials and policy proposals, the ADC campaign team had made claims suggesting that the NDC was working for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Kwankwaso dismissed suggestions that the NDC might withdraw from the presidential race at the last minute to support the ADC candidate, describing the speculation as unfounded.
“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.
He warned that similar claims could emerge shortly before the election to mislead NDC supporters, insisting that the party would remain in the contest.
“The OK ticket is neither working for nor acting on behalf of the APC or any of its candidates,” Kwankwaso said.
He added that there was no reason for the NDC to withdraw its ticket in favour of the ADC.
The former Kano State governor urged the ADC-PCC to focus on allegations reportedly raised against its candidate by Vice-President Kashim Shettima rather than attacking the NDC leadership.
He also criticised both the APC-led government and the ADC, arguing that neither offered the alternative Nigeria needed.
Kwankwaso said the NDC’s “OK ticket” was committed to national unity and addressing challenges in key sectors, including security, education, agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare and the economy.
He maintained that the ticket had the capacity, credibility and support to pursue its proposed agenda, with backing from across northern and southern Nigeria.
Kwankwaso described the ticket as one focused on healing national divisions, uniting Nigerians and tackling the country’s social and economic challenges.
He urged party supporters and other Nigerians to remain committed to the NDC’s participation in the 2027 presidential election.
“I, therefore, urge all our supporters and well-meaning Nigerians to continue working toward the victory of our great party,” he said.
