Kwankwaso Rejects ADC Alliance, Insists Peter Obi Ticket Will Contest Nigeria’s 2027 Election.

Former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has ruled out withdrawing from the 2027 presidential election in favour of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) or any other political party, insisting that the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) will remain in the race.

Kwankwaso, who is the vice presidential candidate on the NDC ticket alongside presidential candidate Peter Obi, made the declaration in a statement published on Sunday, October 18, amid growing disagreements between opposition political camps over strategies for the 2027 general election.

The former governor dismissed speculation that the Obi Kwankwaso ticket could withdraw from the contest to support the ADC presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. He also rejected allegations that the NDC was secretly working with President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to Kwankwaso, the claims were unfounded and intended to undermine his party’s political ambitions. He maintained that the NDC remained committed to contesting the election and urged supporters to disregard reports suggesting that the party would abandon its presidential ticket.

Disagreement Between NDC and ADC Intensifies

The declaration follows a growing exchange of criticism between the NDC and the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.

The ADC campaign council had accused Kwankwaso of weakening opposition unity after he reportedly called on Atiku Abubakar to step aside in favour of Peter Obi. The council argued that such comments could deepen divisions among opposition parties and potentially benefit the ruling APC.

The ADC’s Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, questioned Kwankwaso’s approach, arguing that opposition leaders should concentrate on challenging the federal government’s record rather than attacking rival opposition figures.

In response, Kwankwaso accused the ADC campaign team of directing unnecessary attacks at him, Obi and the NDC instead of presenting its candidate’s policies and qualifications to Nigerians.

He also argued that the ADC did not offer a better alternative to the APC-led government, maintaining that his party’s ticket could provide a credible platform for addressing the country’s challenges.

Opposition Unity Faces Fresh Challenges

Kwankwaso’s position presents another challenge to efforts by opposition parties to consider a common candidate ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Political discussions around cooperation among opposition parties have gained attention as different political groups explore ways to challenge the APC’s hold on power. However, disagreements over candidates, political influence and electoral strategy continue to complicate the prospect of a unified opposition front.

The dispute also highlights the difficulty of balancing individual political ambitions with broader efforts to build an electoral coalition capable of competing nationally.

For the NDC, maintaining its presidential ticket represents a commitment to its own electoral strategy. For opposition groups advocating a common candidate, however, the absence of an agreed-upon arrangement could make it more difficult to consolidate support across Nigeria’s political regions.

NDC Outlines Governance Priorities

Kwankwaso said the Obi Kwankwaso ticket would prioritize national unity, security, education, agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare and economic development.

He described the ticket as an alternative capable of addressing Nigeria’s pressing challenges, while criticizing the performance of the APC-led administration.

However, the political dispute leaves important questions about whether opposition parties can establish common ground on policy, candidate selection and electoral cooperation before the next general election.

As political activities ahead of 2027 continue to intensify, the positions taken by Kwankwaso, Obi, Atiku and other opposition figures are likely to influence discussions about alliances and the possibility of a consensus candidate.

For now, Kwankwaso’s message is clear: the NDC does not intend to withdraw its presidential ticket in favour of the ADC or any other party.