NDC dismisses defection rumours, insists Kwankwaso remains committed

By Lateef Ibrahim

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has dismissed reports suggesting that its presidential running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, threatened to leave the party over recent disputes involving candidate substitutions in Kano State.
The party described the claims as unfounded speculation designed to undermine its growing influence ahead of future political contests.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News monitored in Abuja during the weekend, the NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, said there was never any indication that Kwankwaso intended to abandon the party despite media reports suggesting otherwise.
According to him, the allegations were part of a coordinated effort by political opponents and individuals uncomfortable with the party’s rising profile to create the impression of internal instability.
“At no time did our leader, Kwankwaso, threaten to leave the party,” Director stated. “Those were merely conjectures and media speculations aimed at demarketing the party, and we understand where such narratives are coming from.”
He argued that the party has become a target of political attacks from both the ruling party and some opposition figures who view the NDC as an emerging force in the country’s political landscape.
Director also cited developments in Delta State as evidence of attempts to weaken the party from within, alleging that an incumbent political office holder sponsored multiple aspirants against a preferred candidate, Collins Edema, during the party’s internal processes.
The clarification comes amid widespread reports that the former Kano State governor was unhappy with changes made to the list of candidates initially submitted by the Kwankwasiyya bloc in Kano State.
The reports had claimed that Kwankwaso was considering leaving the NDC if the affected candidates were not reinstated.
However, the party maintains that the adjustments were administrative decisions taken in line with an existing political understanding between the NDC leadership in Kano and members of the Kwankwasiyya movement.
Documents issued by the Kano State chapter of the party indicate that the revisions were intended to reflect an earlier power-sharing arrangement governing the distribution of party offices and elective positions.
The document, signed by the Kano State Chairman of the NDC, Hon. Hussaini Isah Mairiga, stated that the changes were necessary to preserve the balance agreed upon by both factions.
Despite the controversy generated by the candidate substitutions, the NDC insists that its relationship with Kwankwaso remains intact and that reports of a possible defection are baseless.
Party officials say their focus remains on strengthening internal cohesion and expanding the party’s political reach rather than responding to what they describe as distractions from opponents.