ADC, Kwankwaso Rift Threatens Single Opposition Candidate Plan

The rift between the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, over allegations that the previous Kano State governor is working for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) widened yesterday.

The dispute resurfaced barely two days after the group main the opposition’s quest for a single presidential candidate expressed optimism about its search forward of the 2027 presidential election.

The convener of the group, G100, Mallam Salihu Lukman, had stated opposition events may agree on a single presidential candidate a number of days, weeks or months earlier than the 2027 normal election.

Lukman made this identified throughout an interview on Channels Television’s Hard Core programme.

However, the conflict between the ADC and Kwankwaso may undermine the proposal.

Last week, Kwankwaso known as on the ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to step down for Peter Obi, the NDC presidential candidate. It was the second time he had made the decision.

In response, the ADC Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) accused Kwankwaso of working for the APC and President Bola Tinubu.

Reacting yesterday, Kwankwaso expressed concern over what he described as assaults by the ADC marketing campaign workforce on him, Obi and the NDC, saying they have been pointless and unhelpful.

In a press release posted on X, Kwankwaso stated that quite than give attention to presenting its candidate’s competence, credibility and capability, the ADC-PCC appeared intent on creating mischief in opposition to the NDC and its presidential ticket.

“This contains makes an attempt to painting us as working for the ruling occasion or to recommend that we could withdraw from the race in favour of the ADC candidate on the final minute.

“The ADC-PCC would be better served directing its energy towards rebutting the serious allegations levelled against their candidate by the Vice President, His Excellency Kashim Shettima, instead of targeting His Excellency Peter Obi and me,” he stated.

Kwankwaso stated he and Obi have been conscious that the ADC-PCC may try and mislead their supporters on the eve of the election by claiming that the NDC meant to withdraw in favour of the ADC.

“Let me state clearly and unequivocally: we is not going to withdraw our candidature for the ADC or every other occasion. We stay assured in our capability, competence and readiness to steer Nigeria.

“The OK ticket is neither working for nor appearing on behalf of the APC or any of its candidates. We see no risk or motive to withdraw from the presidential race in favour of the ADC candidate or every other. These claims are unfounded and ought to be handled as such.

“The APC-led authorities has failed Nigerians. The ADC gives no higher different. We imagine the OK ticket presents a reputable and viable possibility, backed by confirmed capability, a robust observe document, credibility and broad assist throughout each Northern and Southern Nigeria.

“It is a therapeutic ticket dedicated to uniting our nation and tackling essential challenges in safety, schooling, agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare, the financial system and different key sectors.

“We believe the NDC remains the most formidable and viable opposition party in the country. I therefore urge all our supporters and well-meaning Nigerians to continue working towards the victory of our great party,” he stated.

However, the ADC-PCC dismissed Kwankwaso’s response as diversionary, insisting that it had additional raised questions on his political alignment with the APC and Tinubu.

The council had earlier urged Kwankwaso, the NDC vice-presidential candidate, to cease attacking Atiku and as a substitute give attention to holding the ruling APC accountable for its failures.

It maintained that Kwankwaso ought to be difficult the Tinubu administration over worsening financial hardship, insecurity and declining residing requirements quite than repeatedly concentrating on Atiku and the ADC.

In a press release yesterday, the ADC-PCC director of media and publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, stated Kwankwaso’s response had failed to deal with the substance of the council’s considerations.

According to the council, Kwankwaso talked about the APC in his defence however devoted a lot of his response to attacking the ADC, elevating questions on his priorities as an opposition chief.

“Why is Senator Kwankwaso making our candidate the issue instead of confronting the ruling APC, whose policies have made life increasingly difficult for millions of Nigerians?” the council requested.

It argued that Nigerians have been extra involved about starvation, insecurity, excessive gasoline costs, the depreciation of the naira and the financial hardship underneath the APC-led authorities than political exchanges amongst opposition figures.

The council insisted that these nationwide challenges ought to be the precedence of any politician genuinely dedicated to offering an alternative choice to the Tinubu administration.

It additionally challenged Kwankwaso to elucidate why his political assaults appeared extra ceaselessly directed at Atiku and the ADC than on the ruling occasion accountable for the nation’s present challenges.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the ADC cannot and will not be distracted by Senator Kwankwaso,” the council declared.

Describing the ADC as a robust and more and more accepted political platform, the ADC-PCC stated it remained targeted on mobilising Nigerians round its dedication to rescuing the nation from what it described because the failures of APC governance.

The council additional challenged Kwankwaso to cease utilizing assaults on the ADC to curry political favour with the ruling occasion and as a substitute exhibit the braveness to brazenly align himself with the APC if he shared its political agenda.

The ADC-PCC reaffirmed its willpower to stay united, targeted and dedicated to providing Nigerians a reputable different within the 2027 normal election.