Vice-Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has dominated out withdrawing from the 2027 presidential race in favour of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) or another political occasion, insisting that his joint ticket with Mr. Peter Obi, remained dedicated to contesting the election.
Kwankwaso, who’s operating alongside a former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, mentioned the NDC wouldn’t give up its candidacy to a different occasion, dismissing hypothesis a couple of attainable last-minute association with the ADC as unfounded.
In an announcement expressing concern over the current exchanges between the 2 opposition camps, the previous Kano State governor criticised what he described as pointless assaults by the ADC Presidential Campaign Council on him, Obi and the NDC.
He argued that opposition events ought to think about presenting their candidates’ credentials and coverage alternate options to Nigerians moderately than partaking in exchanges that might undermine cooperation amongst events difficult the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“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 mentioned.
He accused the ADC marketing campaign council of diverting consideration from its candidate’s {qualifications} by elevating questions on NDC’s intentions and suggesting that the occasion would possibly finally step apart for the ADC presidential candidate.
“Rather than focusing on presenting the competence, credibility and capacity of their own candidate, as we have consistently done by placing our credentials and record of achievements before Nigerians, the ADC Presidential Campaign Council appears intent on creating mischief against our party and ticket,” he mentioned.
Kwankwaso maintained that the NDC would neither work for the APC nor enter into an association to withdraw its presidential ticket for the ADC.
He mentioned, “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.”
The NDC candidate additionally cautioned his supporters in opposition to being misled by any suggestion that the occasion meant to desert the competition as election day approached.
“We are conscious that the ADC-PCC could attempt to mislead our supporters on the eve of the election by claiming that we intend to withdraw of their favour.
“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 added.
The NDC candidate sought to ascertain a transparent distinction between his occasion’s proposed agenda and the data of each the APC-led federal authorities and the ADC.
He argued that neither occasion provided the sort of various the NDC claimed to characterize, insisting that his joint ticket with Obi had the expertise and nationwide attain required to handle Nigeria’s challenges.
“The APC-led authorities has failed Nigerians. The ADC affords no higher various. We consider the OK ticket presents a reputable and viable possibility, backed by confirmed capability, a powerful observe document, credibility and broad assist throughout each Northern and Southern Nigeria.
“We believe the OK ticket is a healing ticket committed to uniting our country and tackling critical challenges in security, education, agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare, the economy and other key sectors,” he mentioned.
ADC-PCC: Kwankwaso Can’t Distract Us, His Response Exposes Alleged Deal With Tinubu
But the African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has dismissed Kwankwaso’s response to its earlier assertion as diversionary, insisting that his response has additional raised questions on his political alignment with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu.
The ADC-PCC had earlier suggested Kwankwaso to cease attacking the ADC presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and redirect his vitality in direction of holding the ruling APC accountable for its failures.
The Council maintained that, as an opposition determine, Kwankwaso ought to be difficult the Tinubu administration over the worsening financial hardship, insecurity and declining residing requirements confronting Nigerians, moderately than repeatedly focusing on Atiku and the ADC.
In an announcement, on Sunday, the Director of Media and Publicity of the ADC-PCC, Kola Ologbondiyan, mentioned Kwankwaso’s response had failed to handle the substance of the Council’s issues.
According to the ADC-PCC, Kwankwaso casually talked about the APC in his defence however devoted a lot of his response to attacking the ADC, a growth it mentioned raised 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 had been extra involved about starvation, insecurity, excessive gasoline costs, the depreciation of the naira and the crushing financial hardship beneath 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.
Chuks Okocha and Sunday Aborisade
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