Kwankwaso says no final decision yet on political future, explains ongoing consultations
By Ishaya Ibrahim
The 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has dismissed speculations about his immediate political realignment, stating that no final decision has been made regarding his political future or that of his associates.
In a statement titled “Clarification on My Political Position” released on Sunday, Kwankwaso addressed recent media reports suggesting a possible exit from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) due to the party’s ongoing legal challenges.
The Senator noted that while the Supreme Court affirmed the legitimacy of the David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC), it referred the matter back to the High Court. He added that the Federal High Court recently ruled to delegitimise the party’s recent convention, while the Attorney General of the Federation has applied 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,” Kwankwaso said.
He revealed that, like other major stakeholders, his group has begun wide consultations with leaders from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), and others to explore viable options for protecting their democratic interests. A formal announcement on their next move will be made at the appropriate time.
Addressing rumours about the 2027 presidential race, Kwankwaso stressed that he has neither declared interest in running for president under the ADC nor endorsed any aspirant. He noted that the party is yet to zone its presidential ticket or take any decision on a candidate.
The former Governor referenced his track record as a team player, recalling how he came second in the 2014 APC presidential primary behind President Muhammadu Buhari whom he said he fully supported, and in 2019, contested the PDP ticket but immediately backed Atiku Abubakar and coordinated his campaign in the North.
“My absence from the two recent ADC stakeholders’ meetings was due to unavoidable personal commitments. I promptly communicated my apologies to the party leadership,” he added.
Kwankwaso reassured his followers and the public that he remains committed to constructive engagement and will communicate any definitive position through official channels.
