…Dismisses plan to collapse NDC platform for Atiku

Former Kano State Governor and presidential running mate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has taken fresh swipe at the former vice president Alh. Atiku Abubakar, insisting the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has no capacity to offer better leadership for Nigerian.

Kwankwaso believed though the All Progressives Congress (APC) led government has failed Nigerians, he declared that Atiku has demonstrated no convincing capacity to rescue the country from bad governance of the APC.

Besides, the former Defence Minister ruled out any possibility of withdrawing his presidential ambition in favour of the Atiku Abubakar or any other political party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He accused the ADC Presidential Campaign Council of deliberately spreading misinformation to undermine the party’s growing political influence.

Kwankwaso who issued the fresh counter on his verified social media handle on Sunday described his joint presidential ticket with the former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, as a formidable force capable of dislodging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Apparently reacting to the recent accusation of the ADC presidential campaign council that he (Kwankwaso) was working for President Tinubu’s return for the second term, Kwankwaso advised the Atiku campaign council to focus more on issue based campaign rather than attacking his personality.

“The APC-led government has failed Nigerians. The ADC offers no better alternative. We believe the OK ticket presents a credible and viable option, backed by proven capacity, a strong track record, credibility, and broad support across both Northern and Southern Nigeria,” he said.

In a strongly worded release, Kwankwaso alleged that the ADC campaign machinery was plotting to mislead Nigerians, particularly supporters of the NDC, into believing that the Kwankwaso-Obi presidential ticket would collapse into an alliance with the ADC at the eleventh hour.

He insisted the OK movement would not surrender their political ambition to the ADC candidate, maintaining that the NDC possessed the credibility, competence and nationwide acceptance required to win the 2027 presidential election.

“I have noted with deep concern the conduct of the ADC campaign team. The attacks directed at me, our presidential candidate His Excellency Peter Obi, and our party, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), are unnecessary and unhelpful,” Kwankwaso declared.

He accused the ADC Presidential Campaign Council of abandoning issue-based political engagement in favour of what he described as a campaign of mischief, character assassination and unfounded allegations against the NDC leadership.

According to him, rather than presenting the credentials and achievements of its presidential candidate to Nigerians, the ADC campaign organisation had allegedly resorted to portraying the NDC presidential ticket as a political extension of the ruling APC.

He warned supporters of the NDC and the wider electorate against falling victim to such claims, insisting that the party remained firmly committed to contesting and winning the presidential election.

“We are aware that the ADC-PCC may try to mislead our supporters on the eve of the election by claiming that we intend to withdraw in their favour.

“Let me state clearly and 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 declared.

The former Kano governor also challenged the ADC Presidential Campaign Council to address allegations reportedly raised against its candidate by Vice President Kashim Shettima instead of directing political attacks at the NDC.

“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 stated.

He equally dismissed insinuations that the NDC presidential ticket was secretly working to advance the re-election ambition of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu or other candidates of the ruling APC.

Kwankwaso maintained that the NDC remained an independent political force determined to provide Nigerians with an alternative to both the ruling party and the ADC.

“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. These claims are unfounded and should be treated as such,” he stressed.

The former presidential candidate described the NDC platform as a national reconciliation movement capable of bridging the country’s political, ethnic and regional divisions.

He maintained that the party’s leadership would prioritise solutions to Nigeria’s worsening security challenges, economic difficulties and infrastructural deficits while strengthening education, agriculture and healthcare delivery.

Kwankwaso argued that the combination of political experience, administrative competence and widespread grassroots support placed the NDC in a strong position to challenge the ruling APC in 2027.