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.”
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