The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has defended himself against allegations of extremism, renewed his opposition to a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, and expressed confidence that the NDC ticket of Peter Obi and himself will win the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Kwankwaso said Nigerians, particularly young people, are seeking leaders who can improve their living conditions rather than politicians focused on ethnic or religious sentiments.

“People are tired of the situation they are in now. They want something new, something that can help their lives, something that can improve the security and welfare of the people of this country,” he said.

He argued that critics of the NDC alliance are disconnected from the realities facing northern Nigeria.

“Those who are going against that ticket are not even conversant; they are not in touch with realities in northern Nigeria Today,” he said.

When asked about a proposed US bill that reportedly named him alongside others over allegations of religious persecution and communal violence, Kwankwaso dismissed the claims and said, “Let me start from the issue of assets. I have no asset anywhere outside Nigeria, so there is nothing to freeze.”

He described the allegations as politically motivated, saying, “Everybody has enemies. People decided to send my name here and there. But realities have now come out, and that issue is gone. It is no longer an issue.”

When asked whether he believed his name had been cleared, he responded: “I believe so.”

On the Muslim-Muslim ticket, Kwankwaso said he expects religion to remain an important issue in the 2027 elections, criticising President Bola Tinubu for again presenting a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

“I’m even surprised that the President again is presenting the same type of ticket,” he said.

According to him, President Tinubu has traditionally balanced political appointments and should do the same with his presidential ticket.

“I believe he still has time from now to the time of substitution to have a balanced ticket,” he said.

Although he acknowledged that there is nothing inherently wrong with a Muslim-Muslim or Christian-Christian ticket, he argued that Nigeria’s diversity makes religious balance preferable.

Reflecting on his own choice of running mate in the 2023 election, he said, “When I was looking for somebody to run with me, I got an archbishop so that we can go together and everybody will have a sense of belonging.”

Kwankwaso cited the 1993 SDP presidential ticket of MKO Abiola and Babagana Kingibe as an example where religion did not dominate political discourse, noting that “at that time, people were talking of competence, popularity and many other positive things.”

Addressing concerns that ongoing legal challenges involving the NDC could affect its participation in the 2027 elections, Kwankwaso said he was not worried.
He expressed confidence that the courts would not prevent the party from contesting.

“I don’t think any respected judge will be in a hurry to say NDC should not participate in the 2027 election,” he said.

The vice presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, for the 2027 general elections, Engr Rabiu Kwankwaso, has said that supporters of the party are people looking for what to eat.

Appearing on Channels Television on Monday, the former Kano State governor said the NDC supporters are people who are bent on ensuring that there is change in the leadership of the country.

Kwankwaso and Peter Obi are the flag-bearers of the NDC will contest against the likes of Bola Tinubu, the incumbent president and presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC and Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress.

Earlier this year, Kwankwaso agreed to become the running mate to Peter Obi and both leaders have since merged the support groups, the Obidient Movement and the Kwankwasiyya to wrestle power from the APC government.

Speaking on Channels, he said, “Our supporters are not just merely people who are looking for money or who are looking for textile or food items on the day of election.

“These are people who are determined not only to vote but to make sure that the votes are being protected.”

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Kebbi State has accused the Federal Government, led by President Bola Tinubu, of allegedly targeting former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, in an attempt to dissuade him from pursuing his governorship ambition in the state.

The allegation was contained in a statement released on Sunday and co-signed by the Kebbi State Chairman of the party, Sufiyanu Bala, and Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Sambawa.

The ADC contended that the federal government is employing judicial measures to intimidate opposition figures at both the federal and state levels.

The party asserted that these alleged actions are designed to instil fear among opposition politicians and deter them from pursuing their political ambitions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“By 12 noon in 2027, their party is gone. That is why they are intimidating strong opposition figures who appear poised to replace them, particularly Malami, who is being persecuted through the judiciary,” the statement read.

Additionally, the party claimed that the Kebbi State Government is participating in efforts to undermine Malami’s governorship ambition through various intimidation tactics, insisting that nothing will hinder his candidacy in the 2027 election.

The ADC also alleged that the confiscation of Malami’s assets is part of a coordinated strategy by both the Federal Government and the Kebbi State Government to intimidate the former minister.

Despite what it described as judicial and political persecution, the party expressed its determination and confidence that the judiciary would reverse the recent ruling against Malami.