By Eshioromeh Sebastian
Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the vice presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has told the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council to focus on responding to the allegations levelled against its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, rather than directing attacks at him and Peter Obi.
Kwankwaso made the demand in a statement posted on his verified X handle on Sunday, responding to a Friday statement by the ADC-PCC that accused him of working to advance President Bola Tinubu’s political interests.
The ADC-PCC, through its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, had accused Kwankwaso of being a “willing collaborator” within the opposition working for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The allegation followed Kwankwaso’s call on Channels Television for Atiku to step down for Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 election.
Ologbondiyan described Kwankwaso’s position as “reckless and self-serving,” alleging that rather than campaigning against Tinubu, Kwankwaso was “fixated on Atiku Abubakar.”
He further claimed that Kwankwaso’s actions amounted to “advancing President Tinubu’s interests” and accused him of positioning himself for the 2031 presidential election rather than building a united opposition.
The ADC campaign also dismissed Kwankwaso’s political influence in Kano, citing his fourth-place finish in the 2023 presidential election and arguing that Atiku could win the state without his support. Ologbondiyan recalled that former President Muhammadu Buhari won Kano in 2003 and 2007 without Kwankwaso’s backing. He further questioned Kwankwaso’s political consistency, citing his movement across the PDP, APC, NNPP, ADC, and now the NDC.
In his Sunday statement, Kwankwaso expressed “deep concern” over the conduct of the ADC campaign team, describing the attacks directed at him, Peter Obi, and the NDC as “unnecessary and unhelpful.”
He stated that 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 also rejected suggestions that the NDC ticket might withdraw from the race in favour of the ADC, stating 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 warned that the ADC-PCC might try to mislead NDC supporters on the eve of the election by claiming they intended to withdraw in their favour.
He denied that the “OK ticket” (Obi-Kwankwaso) was working for the APC, calling such claims “unfounded and should be treated as such.”
He stated: “The OK ticket is neither working for nor acting on behalf of the 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.”
He further criticised both parties’ records, declaring: “The APC-led government has failed Nigerians. The ADC offers no better alternative.”
He described the OK ticket as a credible and viable option, backed by proven capacity, a strong track record, credibility, and broad support across both Northern and Southern Nigeria.
According to him, 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.”
Kwankwaso maintained that the NDC remained “the most formidable and viable opposition party in the country” and urged supporters and well-meaning Nigerians to continue working toward the party’s victory. He concluded with the campaign message: “Nigeria will be OK.”
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