NDC won’t withdraw from presidential race for any party, Kwankwaso replies ADC

Rabiu Kwankwaso, vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), says the party will not withdraw from the 2027 presidential race in favour of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) or any other party.

In a statement on Sunday, Kwankwaso said himself and Peter Obi, NDC’s presidential candidate, remained committed to contesting the election.

“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 in a statement.

His remarks follow allegations by the ADC presidential campaign council that Kwankwaso was weakening the opposition to benefit President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement on Friday, Kola Ologbondiyan, director of media and publicity of the ADC campaign council, accused Kwankwaso of focusing on opposition leaders rather than criticising the Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) government.

Ologbondiyan was reacting to Kwankwaso’s call for Atiku Abubakar, the ADC presidential candidate, to step aside for Peter Obi, the NDC flagbearer, ahead of the 2027 elections.

The ADC campaign council alleged that the call was an attempt to divide the opposition to the advantage of the ruling party.

Responding, Kwankwaso described the attacks on him, Obi and the NDC as “unnecessary and unhelpful”, accusing the ADC campaign team of trying to create mischief against his party and its ticket.

“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.

He alleged that the council was attempting to portray the NDC ticket as working for the ruling party or planning to withdraw from the race at the last minute.

“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. These claims are unfounded and should be treated as such,” he said.

“The ADC-PCC would be better served directing its energy toward rebutting the serious allegations levelled against their candidate by the Vice President, His Excellency Kashim Shettima, instead of targeting me and His Excellency Peter Obi.”

He warned that the ADC campaign team might attempt to mislead NDC supporters on the eve of the election by claiming that the party intended to withdraw in favour of the ADC candidate.

Kwankwaso also criticised the APC-led government, saying it had failed Nigerians, while arguing that the ADC offered no better alternative.

“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. These claims are unfounded and should be treated as such,” the former Kano governor noted.

“The APC-led government has failed Nigerians. The ADC offers no better alternative. 

“We believe the OK ticket presents a credible and viable option, backed by proven capacity, a strong track record, credibility, and broad support across both Northern and Southern Nigeria. 

“It is a healing ticket committed to uniting our country and tackling critical challenges in security, education, agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare, the economy, and other key sectors.

“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.”