The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council has strongly condemned the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Vice Presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, for suggesting that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar should step aside for Peter Obi. The ADC described Kwankwaso’s remarks as reckless.
Kola Ologbondiyan, the ADC’s Director of Media and Publicity, stated that Kwankwaso’s comments were self-serving and aimed at promoting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s political interests ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Ologbondiyan’s criticism follows Kwankwaso’s interview on Channels Television, where he focused on opposition leaders rather than addressing the issues facing the current government, which he claims Nigerians are eager to change.
He asserted that Atiku would win Kano State—Kwankwaso’s home turf—in the upcoming election, regardless of whether Kwankwaso offered support. The spokesperson highlighted that the pressing issues of hardship, hunger, and insecurity would guide voters’ decisions.
Ologbondiyan found Kwankwaso’s position baffling, considering his alignment with Peter Obi and the NDC. He contended that as a member of the opposition, Kwankwaso should focus on strengthening their collective efforts rather than undermining another candidate.
He remarked, “Instead of campaigning against President Tinubu, who Nigerians are keen to vote out, Kwankwaso is fixated on Atiku Abubakar, who many believe can restore economic stability.”
Ologbondiyan accused Kwankwaso of prioritising his own political career over the needs of the opposition and claimed his latest intervention seemed more beneficial to the ruling APC than to any opposition candidates.
Drawing on past elections, he recalled that former President Muhammadu Buhari won in Kano in 2003 and 2007 without Kwankwaso’s backing, suggesting Atiku could similarly succeed in 2027.
He concluded that Kwankwaso’s actions serve to bolster President Tinubu’s position and are a tactic used by the APC to create confusion within the opposition. Ologbondiyan expressed confidence that Nigerians would not be swayed by such political games.
