Vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has dismissed speculation that the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, could step down for former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar or withdraw from the 2027 presidential race in favour of the African Democratic Congress.
Kwankwaso said the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket, which the party describes as the “OK ticket,” remained fully committed to the contest and had no intention of abandoning its presidential bid for the ADC or any other political party.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page, the former Kano State governor accused the ADC Presidential Campaign Council of devoting more attention to attacks on the NDC, Obi and himself than to promoting its own presidential candidate and programme to Nigerians.
He also rejected claims that the NDC ticket was secretly working for the ruling All Progressives Congress or could announce a last-minute withdrawal in favour of the ADC.
“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 said.
He added that the party’s supporters should disregard suggestions that the NDC could withdraw close to the election, describing such claims as unfounded.
“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 said.
Kwankwaso’s statement came amid a growing exchange between the NDC and the ADC Presidential Campaign Council over opposition strategy ahead of the 2027 election.
The ADC campaign had earlier accused Kwankwaso of focusing his political attacks on Atiku instead of directing his criticism at President Bola Tinubu and the ruling APC.
The ADC-PCC also questioned Kwankwaso’s political alignment, alleging that his recent interventions against Atiku raised concerns about whether he was indirectly helping the ruling party. Kwankwaso rejected that suggestion.
He instead urged the ADC campaign to concentrate on defending its own candidate and addressing criticisms directed at Atiku by Vice-President Kashim Shettima.
According to Kwankwaso, the opposition contest should centre on competing records, ideas and programmes rather than claims that the NDC would surrender its presidential ticket.
He also criticised the APC-led Federal Government, saying it had failed to address several of the challenges confronting Nigerians, while arguing that the ADC did not represent a better alternative.
Kwankwaso said the NDC ticket would focus its campaign on security, education, agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare, economic recovery and national unity.
“Nigeria will be OK,” he added, using the slogan associated with the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket.
The ADC Presidential Campaign Council, however, rejected Kwankwaso’s response and maintained that he had not adequately addressed its concerns.
Its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the former Kano governor devoted much of his response to attacking the ADC despite describing himself as an opposition figure.
The council asked why Kwankwaso was making Atiku and the ADC central to his political attacks rather than concentrating on the policies of the governing APC.
It argued that Nigerians were more concerned about economic hardship, insecurity, fuel prices, the value of the naira and declining living standards than disagreements among opposition politicians.
Post Title: “We Will Not Withdraw For ADC Or Any Other Party” — Kwankwaso Says Obi Remains In 2027 Presidential Race By Naijaonpoint.