Opposition’s consensus bid hits rocks as Kwankwaso refuses to quit race

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has thrown a fresh obstacle in the path of opposition parties seeking a consensus presidential candidate for the 2027 election, ruling out any move to abandon his party’s ticket for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and deepening uncertainty over efforts to unite against President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement on Sunday, Kwankwaso, former Kano governor, accused the ADC campaign team of directing unnecessary attacks at him, Obi and the NDC instead of selling its own candidate to Nigerians.

BusinessDay reports that the ADC Presidential Campaign Council on Sunday accused Kwankwaso of advancing President Bola Tinubu’s interests by attacking Atiku Abubakar rather than criticising the APC-led government over economic hardship and insecurity.

Kwankwaso, running on a joint ticket with Peter Obi, declared that the NDC would remain in the race, dismissing the ADC as no better than the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

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“We will not withdraw our candidature for the ADC or any other party,” he said. He insisted that his ticket was neither working for nor acting on behalf of the APC.

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

His position highlights the challenge facing opposition leaders seeking a common platform to confront Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Salihu Lukman, former APC national vice-chairman (North-West), and prominent opposition figure had disclosed that six opposition parties were consulting on a possible consensus presidential candidate, suggesting the process could produce a common flagbearer before the January 16 presidential election.

The consultations involve the ADC, NDC, Labour Party, Allied Peoples Movement, Social Democratic Party and Peoples Democratic Party.

However, Kwankwaso’s declaration underscores the difficulty of securing an early agreement, as rival parties continue to defend their candidates and question one another’s capacity to offer Nigerians an alternative to the APC-led government.