Former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has dismissed reports suggesting he has exited the African Democratic Congress (ADC), stating that no final decision has been made regarding his political future.

In a statement addressing recent speculation, Kwankwaso clarified that while discussions are ongoing with stakeholders across multiple political platforms including the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and the New Democratic Congress (NDC), he remains a member of the ADC.

He attributed the Current uncertainty within the party to ongoing legal challenges. According to him, a recent Supreme Court ruling affirmed the legitimacy of the David Mark led National Working Committee but returned the matter to the High Court, leaving the party in a fragile state. He further noted that a Federal High Court judgment has invalidated the party’s recent convention, while the Attorney General of the Federation has initiated legal proceedings seeking the deregistration of the ADC.

Kwankwaso explained that his earlier departure from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) was due to externally influenced legal disputes that made continued membership untenable, adding that the ADC now faces similar pressures.

“As a result, we have commenced extensive consultations with key stakeholders and leaders across political divides to determine the best course of action in safeguarding our democratic interests,” he said, assuring that a final decision would be communicated in due course.

On speculation surrounding a potential presidential bid, Kwankwaso reiterated that he has neither declared any intention to contest nor endorsed any aspirant. He emphasized that the ADC has yet to zone its presidential ticket or make any official decision on candidacy, describing claims to the contrary as premature.

Highlighting his track record, Kwankwaso noted his participation in the 2014 All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary, where he finished second to Muhammadu Buhari, and his subsequent support for the party’s victory. He also recalled contesting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential ticket in 2019, after which he backed Atiku Abubakar and served as the campaign’s Northern coordinator.

He stressed his longstanding commitment to party unity and national interest over personal ambition.
Kwankwaso also clarified that his absence from two recent ADC stakeholders’ meetings was due to unavoidable personal commitments, noting that he had formally communicated his apologies to the party leadership.

He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to continued engagement with political stakeholders, stating that any definitive position on his political direction would be formally announced through appropriate channels.

I’m yet to leave ADC, but discussions are underway with PRP and NDC.

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

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) wishes to state, clearly and unequivocally, that we remain focused on our mission to rescue Nigeria from the failure of the APC-led government and to prevent the dangerous slide toward a one-party state.

We have taken note of recent suggestions that the ADC will not produce candidates in the 2027 elections. We find such claims to be entirely unfounded, mischievous, and designed to create confusion where none exists. They have no basis in law, in fact, or in the reality of our preparations as a political party.

The ADC will present candidates in the 2027 general elections. Not just candidates, but credible, competent, and nationally acceptable candidates who are capable of leading this country out of its current crisis.

We remain a law-abiding political party, fully compliant with the Constitution and the Electoral Act. There is no legal impediment to our participation in the 2027 elections, and any suggestion to the contrary is a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and dampen the growing momentum around our party.

The ADC stands today as the primary opposition platform in Nigeria, and we take that responsibility seriously. We are not distracted by noise. We are focused on the real work, organising across the country, mobilising Nigerians who are tired of insecurity, rising costs of living, and limited opportunities, and building the structures required not just to contest, but to win.

We urge our members, supporters, and all well-meaning Nigerians to disregard these baseless assertions. The task before us is too important to be derailed by speculation.

Signed:
Bolaji Abdullahi
Spokesperson for the African Democratic Congress

~Ben Tanko

The embattled claimant to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) chairmanship, Nafiu Bala Gombe, has reportedly expressed regret over his involvement in the party’s internal crisis, blaming Hon. Leke Abejide and Babachir Lawal.

According to his close associate, Nafiu Umaru, who spoke in Abuja, Nafiu lamented that since the crisis began, he and his family have faced threats, making it difficult for him to even attend congregational prayers due to safety concerns.

Umaru said Nafiu claimed that promises made to him during the crisis were not fulfilled, adding that he now regrets his involvement in the situation.

He further alleged that Hon. Abejide abandoned him after leaving the party, leaving him to face the consequences alone, while Babachir Lawal allegedly influenced him into actions that worsened the crisis.

Nafiu also reportedly complained that despite expectations of political compensation, nothing meaningful materialised, except minor financial support for legal expenses.

He is also said to have indicated his intention to withdraw from the ongoing legal dispute to “free himself” and seek reconciliation.

Umaru added that he advised Nafiu to formally withdraw from the case and apologise to the public, noting that Nafiu admitted his involvement in party activities that contributed to the leadership struggle involving David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola.

He further stated that Nafiu has promised to address the public soon in order to clear his name and free himself from the ongoing controversy.