2027: We’ll not step down for Atiku — Kwankwaso replies ADC

Former Kano State Governor and Vice Presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has dismissed reports suggesting that he and his presidential candidate, Peter Obi, are working for the ruling party or may withdraw from the 2027 presidential race in favour of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) or any other political party.

Mr Kwankwaso, in a Facebook statement on Sunday, accused the ADC Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) of running smear campaigns to mislead voters.

He reaffirmed that the NDC ticket—tagged the “Obi-Kwankwaso (OK) ticket”—remains fully in the race and is committed to providing a credible governance alternative for the nation.

No merger, no withdrawal

Mr Kwankwaso urged the electorate to ignore claims that the NDC is covertly working for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or planning a last-minute withdrawal.

“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,” Kwankwaso declared.

“The OK ticket is neither working for nor acting on behalf of 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 further charged ADC campaign team to focus on presenting its candidate’s vision rather than fabricating narratives against rival opposition figures.

Rising tensions between NDC and ADC

Mr Kwankwaso’s statement followed a series of political exchanges between the NDC and the ADC campaign council.

The ADC-PCC, through spokesperson Kola Ologbondiyan, recently accused Mr Kwankwaso of covertly aligning with President Bola Tinubu and APC.

ADC alleged that Mr Kwankwaso’s recent public call for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to step aside and support Peter Obi was a calculated attempt to divide the opposition vote and favour the ruling party.

ADC also claimed that Mr Kwankwaso prioritised personal ambition for future election cycles over a unified opposition front.

Vice President Shettima’s attack on Atiku

In response, Mr Kwankwaso advised the ADC to focus on addressing the ruling party’s criticism.

Vice President Kashim Shettima recently fired at ADC candidate Atiku Abubakar, mocking his repeated presidential bids and dismissing his economic proposals—such as production subsidies—as unrealistic.

Mr Shettima remarked that political ambition requires “intellectual maturity”. He quipped that Atiku’s candidacy was “more of Odinga Odinga than Abraham Lincoln,” raising questions about how Atiku planned to fund his proposed policies.

Mr Kwankwaso criticised the ruling APC’s performance while dismissing the ADC as incapable of addressing Nigeria’s pressing needs.

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

He described the NDC as a “healing ticket” focused on tackling security, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic revitalisation.

Read the full statement below:

I have noted with deep concern the ADC campaign team’s conduct. The attacks directed at me, our presidential candidate His Excellency Peter Obi, and our party, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), are unnecessary and unhelpful.

Rather than presenting the competence, credibility, and capacity of their own candidate, as we have consistently done by putting our credentials and record of achievements before Nigerians, the ADC Presidential Campaign Council appears intent on creating mischief against our party and ticket. This includes attempts to portray us as working for the ruling party or to suggest that we may withdraw from the race in favour of ADC candidate at the last minute.

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 His Excellency Peter Obi and me.

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We are aware that the ADC-PCC may try to mislead our supporters on the eve of the election by claiming that we intend to withdraw in their favour. Let me state clearly and unequivocally: we will not withdraw our candidature for ADC or any other party. We remain confident in our capacity, competence, and readiness to lead Nigeria.

The OK ticket is neither working for nor acting on behalf of 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 APC-led government has failed Nigerians. The ADC offers no better alternative. We believe the OK ticket presents a credible, viable option, backed by proven capacity, a strong track record, credibility, and broad support across 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 NDC remains the country’s most formidable and viable opposition party. I therefore urge all our supporters and well-meaning Nigerians to keep working toward our great party’s victory.

Nigeria will be OK. – RMK