Kwankwaso Denies Final Decision on Defection, Opens Talks With NDC, PRP
By our correspondent
Former Kano State Governor and ex-Minister of Defence, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has dismissed reports claiming he has concluded plans to defect to the National Democratic Coalition (NDC), stating that consultations are still ongoing with different political stakeholders.
In a statement titled “Clarification on My Political Position,” the former presidential aspirant said no final decision had been taken concerning his political future or that of his associates.
Kwankwaso explained that recent legal disputes within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) had created uncertainty within the party, prompting consultations with other political groups including the NDC and the PRP.
According to him, the Supreme Court judgment affirming the legitimacy of the David Mark-led National Working Committee also returned aspects of the matter to the High Court, leaving the party in what he described as a “precarious position.”
He further noted that a Federal High Court ruling reportedly invalidated the party’s recent convention, while the Attorney General of the Federation had also approached the court seeking the deregistration of the ADC.
Kwankwaso recalled that his political movement earlier exited the NNPP over what he termed externally influenced legal challenges, stressing that similar issues were now affecting the ADC.
“Consequently, like other major stakeholders, we have commenced wide-ranging consultations — including with leaders from the NDC, PRP and others to explore the best options for protecting our democratic interests,” he stated.
On speculations surrounding the 2027 presidential race, Kwankwaso said he had neither declared interest in contesting nor endorsed any aspirant, insisting that the ADC had yet to zone its presidential ticket or decide on a candidate.
The former governor also defended his democratic credentials, recalling his participation in the 2014 APC presidential primary won by Muhammadu Buhari and his role in supporting Atiku Abubakar after the 2019 PDP presidential primary.
Kwankwaso attributed his absence from two recent ADC stakeholders’ meetings to unavoidable personal engagements, adding that he had communicated his apologies to the party leadership.
He assured supporters that any final political decision would be officially communicated through appropriate channels in due course.
