…Says no decision yet on political future as consultations intensify ahead of 2027
By Our Reporter
Former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has denied reports that he is set to dump the African Democratic Congress (ADC), insisting that no final decision has been taken regarding his political future or that of his associates.
Kwankwaso’s clarification follows claims by NNPP Board of Trustees Secretary, Buba Galadima, that both he and Peter Obi would formally exit the ADC on Monday as part of a broader opposition realignment ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting of the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement in Abuja, Galadima had hinted at a coordinated defection, with sources suggesting both camps were concluding plans to move to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), a platform reportedly linked to former Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson. He also warned supporters to brace for political backlash and media attacks following the anticipated announcement.
But in a strongly worded statement, Kwankwaso dismissed the reports as premature and misleading, stressing that ongoing developments within the ADC had yet to produce any conclusive outcome.
He noted that while the recent Supreme Court ruling affirmed the legitimacy of the David Mark-led National Working Committee, the decision to remit the matter back to the High Court had left the party in a fragile state. He further pointed to a Federal High Court judgment invalidating the party’s recent convention, alongside a move by the Attorney General of the Federation to seek the ADC’s deregistration, describing the situation as troubling.
Kwankwaso recalled that his political group had previously exited the NNPP due to what he termed externally induced legal challenges, warning that similar pressures now confronting the ADC were equally destabilising.
“Like other major stakeholders, we have commenced wide-ranging consultations,” he said, adding that engagements were ongoing with leaders across parties, including the NDC and the PRP, to determine the most viable path forward.
On speculation surrounding a potential presidential ambition, the former minister of defence said no such decision had been made. He emphasised that the ADC had neither zoned its presidential ticket nor named a candidate, making any claims about his ambition or endorsement of others unfounded.
Kwankwaso also used the opportunity to restate his political history, highlighting his second-place finish at the 2014 APC presidential primary behind former President Muhammadu Buhari, and his subsequent support for Buhari’s candidacy. He similarly referenced his participation in the 2019 PDP presidential primary, after which he backed eventual flagbearer Atiku Abubakar and served as northern campaign coordinator.
He maintained that his political decisions have consistently prioritised party unity and national interest over personal ambition.
Addressing his absence from recent ADC stakeholders’ meetings, Kwankwaso attributed it to unavoidable personal commitments, noting that he had formally communicated his apologies to party leadership.
He assured supporters that any definitive decision on his political direction would be formally communicated at the appropriate time.