Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has ruled out withdrawing from the 2027 presidential race in favour of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) or any other party.
Kwankwaso stated this in a post on his X account, where he expressed concern over what he described as attacks by the ADC Presidential Campaign Council against him, the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and the party.
“I have noted with deep concern the conduct of the ADC campaign team. The attacks directed at me, our presidential candidate His Excellency Peter Obi, and our party, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), are unnecessary and unhelpful,” he said.
He accused the ADC campaign team of focusing on attacking the NDC ticket rather than presenting the competence and credibility of its own candidate to Nigerians.
“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,” Kwankwaso said.
He added that the alleged campaign included attempts to portray the NDC ticket as working for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or planning to withdraw from the race in favour of the ADC candidate.
Kwankwaso urged the ADC Presidential Campaign Council to address allegations reportedly levelled against its candidate by Vice-President Kashim Shettima instead of targeting him and Obi.
“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 said.
The former Kano State governor also warned that the ADC campaign team might attempt to mislead NDC supporters on the eve of the election by claiming that the party’s candidates intended to withdraw.
“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 further denied any alliance with the APC, insisting that the NDC ticket, referred to as the “OK ticket”, was neither working for nor acting on behalf of the ruling party or any of its candidates.
“The APC-led government has failed Nigerians. The ADC offers no better alternative,” Kwankwaso said, adding that the NDC ticket offered a credible option with a record of achievement and support across Northern and Southern Nigeria.
He described the ticket as one committed to national unity and addressing challenges in security, education, agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare and the economy.
Kwankwaso also described the NDC as the country’s most formidable opposition party and urged supporters and Nigerians to work towards its victory.
“I therefore urge all our supporters and well-meaning Nigerians to continue working toward the victory of our great party,” he said.
