Kwankwaso Confirms Talks with NDC, PRP
Former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has issued a formal clarification, stating categorically that no final decision has been taken regarding his political future or that of his political associates, even as he confirmed active consultations with the Nigeria Democratic Congress and the Peoples Redemption Party.
Kwankwaso made the clarification in a statement released late on Saturday night, where he dismissed growing speculation about his next political move, while acknowledging that a possible defection from the African Democratic Congress remains on the table.
On the question of a presidential run, Kwankwaso was emphatic. “The ADC is yet to zone its presidential ticket or take any decision on a candidate. I have therefore neither declared any intention to run for president nor endorsed any aspirant. All speculations to the contrary are premature and unfounded,” he stated.
He attributed the uncertainty surrounding his political direction to legal and structural challenges within the ADC, citing recent court rulings that have affected the party’s stability. According to him, a Supreme Court judgment affirming the leadership of a factional National Working Committee led by David Mark also remitted the matter to the High Court, leaving critical issues unresolved.
Kwankwaso drew a parallel between the ADC’s current situation and his earlier exit from the New Nigeria Peoples Party, saying: “We left the NNPP due to externally influenced legal problems that made our stay perilous. The ADC has now been also forced into this difficulty.”
The statement comes against the backdrop of intensifying speculation. Reports had emerged that Kwankwaso directed his supporters to resign from the ADC ahead of a planned defection to the NDC, with a Kwankwasiyya movement figure in Dala Local Government Area of Kano publicly announcing his resignation from the party while citing the movement’s leadership directives.
Kwankwaso had also been linked to Peter Obi in reports suggesting both men were considering a joint ticket, with supporters circulating campaign posters online and claims emerging that both politicians were weighing options outside the ADC.
The ADC, for its part, is pushing back against any suggestion of institutional collapse. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, dismissed concerns over the party’s viability as distractions, insisting that the ADC will present credible, nationally acceptable candidates for the 2027 general elections and remains fully compliant with constitutional and electoral requirements.
Kwankwaso assured that any definitive position on his political direction will be communicated formally through official channels at the appropriate time.