The former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has declared that he is yet to decide his political future amid the crisis in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), while confirming that he is in talks with other political parties, including the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Kwankwaso noted recent reports and discussions suggesting a possible realignment within the 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,” he stated.
Kwankwaso disclosed that he and his associates left the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) due to externally influenced legal problems that made their stay perilous.
“The ADC has now been also forced into this difficulty,” he said. “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 presidential candidacy, the former Minister of Defence recalled his consistent record as a committed democrat, saying: “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.”
He revealed that the ADC is yet to zone its presidential ticket or take any decision on a candidate.
Kwankwaso also affirmed that he has neither declared any intention to run for president nor endorsed any aspirant, describing contrary speculations as premature and unfounded.
He emphasised that his absence from the two recent ADC stakeholders’ meetings was due to unavoidable personal commitments, noting that he promptly communicated his 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,” he added.
