Kwankwaso to ADC-PCC: Address allegations against your candidate, leave me and Obi alone

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has urged the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential campaign council to focus on the “serious allegations” against its flagbearer in the 2027 election.

The former governor of Kano was responding to a recent remark by the ADC campaign council accusing him of undermining the opposition to advance President Bola Tinubu’s re-election chances in 2027.

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

Ologbondiyan’s remarks followed Kwankwaso’s call for former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the ADC presidential candidate, to step down for Peter Obi, the NDC flagbearer, ahead of the 2027 election.

Ologbondiyan described the call as reckless and self-serving, alleging that it was an attempt to divide the opposition for the APC’s benefit.

However, in a statement on Sunday, Kwankwaso said the ADC campaign council should focus on defending its candidate rather than attacking him and Obi.

“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,” the statement reads.

“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.”

Kwankwaso said rather than presenting the competence, credibility and capacity of its own candidate before Nigerians, “the ADC-PCC appears intent on creating mischief against our party and ticket”.

The former governor Kano accused the ADC of attempting to portray him and Obi as working for the APC, suggesting that they may withdraw from the race in favour of any candidate at the last minute.

“Let me state clearly and unequivocally: we will not withdraw our candidature for the ADC or any other party,” he said.

“We remain confident in our capacity, competence, and readiness to lead Nigeria.”

Kwankwaso said neither the APC-led government nor the ADC offers Nigerians a better alternative.

“The APC-led government has failed Nigerians. The ADC offers no better alternative,” he said.

He described the NDC ticket as a credible option with broad support across northern and southern Nigeria.

He said the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket is committed to addressing insecurity, education, agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare and the country’s economic challenges.

He urged his supporters and Nigerians to continue working towards the party’s victory, expressing confidence in its prospects in the 2027 general election.