No Exit Threat From Kwankwaso, Says Kwankwasiyya

By Omagbemi Sylvester

The Kwankwasiyya Movement has dismissed reports claiming that former Kano State governor and vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, threatened to leave the party over the replacement of candidates in Kano State.

The controversy emerged after reports alleged that the NDC leadership in Kano replaced several candidates backed by the Kwankwasiyya bloc in order to enforce a previously agreed 60-40 power-sharing arrangement between the movement and the party’s existing structure. The changes reportedly generated tensions within the party and fueled speculation that Kwankwaso was considering withdrawing from the alliance.

However, the Kwankwasiyya Movement has strongly denied the claims. Speaking on behalf of the group, spokesman Habibu Sale Mohammed described the reports as “mere rumours” and insisted that neither the movement nor its leader had threatened to quit the NDC. He maintained that the party primaries were conducted in accordance with electoral guidelines and that candidates were duly affirmed without any internal crisis.

The dispute stems from allegations that some candidates initially submitted by the Kwankwasiyya bloc were replaced following concerns that the nominations did not fully reflect the agreed sharing formula between both factions.

According to documents reportedly signed by Kano NDC Chairman Hussaini Isah Mairiga, the adjustments were made to preserve the 60-40 arrangement under which the Kwankwasiyya bloc would receive 60 percent of positions while the original NDC structure retained 40 percent.

Political observers say the development has exposed early cracks within one of the opposition’s most significant alliances ahead of the 2027 elections.

Nevertheless, Kwankwasiyya leaders insist that the partnership remains intact and that reports of an imminent split have been exaggerated.

The controversy comes barely days after NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi and Kwankwaso were unveiled as the party’s presidential and vice-presidential ticket, a political alliance widely viewed as a major development in Nigeria’s opposition landscape ahead of the next general election.