Former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has denied reports linking him to any political alliance, saying no decision has been taken on his political future or any alliance ahead of the next general election.
Kwankwaso, in a statement personally signed by him and shared on his verified X handle on Saturday night, also dismissed claims that he had declared interest in the 2027 presidential race or endorsed any aspirant, following growing speculation over his next political move after last month’s opposition summit in Ibadan.
“We have noted recent media reports and discussions suggesting a possible realignment within the African Democratic Congress due to the current challenges facing the party,” Kwankwaso said.
The former NNPP presidential candidate was recently linked with Obi in reports suggesting both men were considering a joint ticket, with supporters circulating campaign posters online and claims emerging that both politicians were weighing options outside the African Democratic Congress.
“In light of the misleading narratives in the public domain, I wish to state categorically that no final decision has been taken regarding my political future or that of my political associates,” he added.
Kwankwaso said the reports were false and stressed that the ADC had neither zoned its presidential ticket nor settled on any candidate for the 2027 election.
He also pointed to the party’s internal crisis, worsened by Thursday’s Supreme Court ruling which voided an earlier Court of Appeal decision in the ADC leadership dispute, saying the development had placed the party in a difficult position.
“We left the NNPP due to externally influenced legal challenges that made our stay perilous. The ADC has now also been drawn into similar difficulties,” Kwankwaso said.
He said consultations were ongoing with leaders of other political platforms, including the National Democratic Congress and the Peoples Redemption Party, as he and his allies weigh their next move.
“Consequently, like other major stakeholders, we have commenced wide-ranging consultations including with leaders of the NDC, PRP and others to explore the best options for protecting our democratic interests. We shall communicate our decision in due course,” he said.
The full statement reads:
Clarification on My Political Position
We have noted recent media reports and discussions suggesting a possible realignment within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) due to the current challenges facing the party.
In light of the misleading narratives in the public domain, I wish to state categorically that no final decision has been taken regarding my political future or that of my political associates.
The recent Supreme Court judgment, while affirming the legitimacy of the David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC), also remitted the matter back to the High Court. This has left the party in a precarious position.
In addition, the Federal High Court has recently ruled to delegitimise the party’s recent convention. The Attorney General of the Federation has also strangely applied to a Federal High Court to deregister the ADC.
We left the NNPP due to externally influenced legal problems that made our stay perilous. The ADC has now been also forced into this difficulty.
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. We shall announce our decision in the soonest possible time.
On the issue of presidential candidacy, I wish to recall my consistent record as a committed democrat. In the 2014 APC presidential primary, I came second to President Muhammadu Buhari (whom I fully supported to victory), with Atiku Abubakar third, Rochas Okorocha fourth, and the late Sam Nda-Isaiah fifth. Similarly, in 2019, I contested the PDP presidential ticket and immediately supported the winner, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, serving as the campaign’s coordinator in the North. I have always placed national interest and party unity above personal ambition.
Furthermore, the ADC is yet to zone its presidential ticket or take any decision on a candidate. I have therefore neither declared any intention to run for president nor endorsed any aspirant. All speculations to the contrary are premature and unfounded.
My absence from the two recent ADC stakeholders’ meetings was due to unavoidable personal commitments. I promptly communicated my apologies to the party leadership.
We shall continue to engage constructively at all levels. Any definitive position on our political direction will be communicated formally through official channels at the appropriate time.
Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, PhD, FNSE
Former Governor, Kano State
Former Minster of Defence