By Divine Sam

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has ruled out the possibility of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) withdrawing its presidential ticket in favour of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general election.

Kwankwaso, the NDC vice-presidential candidate alongside Peter Obi, dismissed calls for the party to step aside for the ADC or any other political platform, insisting that his party remained committed to its presidential ambition.

The former Kano State governor made the position known on Sunday while responding to claims surrounding the NDC ticket and its prospects in the forthcoming election.

He accused the ADC Presidential Campaign Council of focusing its attention on criticising him, Obi and the NDC leadership instead of convincing Nigerians to support its own candidate.

Kwankwaso also rejected allegations that the NDC candidates were working with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or planning to withdraw from the presidential contest to support the ADC.

“We will not withdraw our candidature for the ADC or any other party,” Kwankwaso declared.

Reaffirming the party’s independence, he said the NDC had no intention of working for the APC or any of its candidates and saw no justification for abandoning its own electoral ambition.

“The NDC 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 said.

The NDC vice-presidential candidate further challenged the ADC Presidential Campaign Council to address allegations raised by Vice-President Kashim Shettima against its presidential candidate rather than directing its criticism at the NDC leadership.

He also questioned the ADC’s capacity to present Nigerians with a credible alternative to the APC-led government, which he accused of failing to meet the country’s expectations.

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

Kwankwaso maintained that the NDC possessed the political capacity to unite Nigerians and address major national challenges, including insecurity, inadequate access to education and healthcare, agricultural difficulties, infrastructure deficits and economic hardship.

He urged party supporters and Nigerians who shared the NDC’s vision to intensify their mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 polls.

The former governor described the NDC as a viable opposition platform and called on its members to remain focused on the party’s campaign as political alignments and discussions over possible alliances continue ahead of the election.