The Kwankwasiyya Movement has clarified the alleged threat by its principal, Rabiu Kwankwaso, to quit the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC.

A statement by its spokesman, Habibu Mohammed, said Kwankwaso has never threatened to leave the party over the replacement of candidates.

The group described the speculation as mere rumours.

“Kwankwaso never threatened to leave the NDC. Neither the Kwankwasiyya Movement not its leader is complaining,” the statement said.

It was reported that the Kwankwasiyya Movement would exit the party if loyalists earlier nominated by the bloc were replaced.

It will be recalled that the speculation came following the substitution of several candidates submitted by the group, with allegations that the move breached an earlier power-sharing arrangement, just as Mohammed said the claims were baseless.

The group’s mouthpiece pointed out that the party primaries were conducted on May 29 in line with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines, noting that the winners were affirmed the same day.

According to him, the NDC stakeholders and members had earlier agreed on a consensus model where necessary, adopted candidates accordingly, and submitted the list without internal squabbles.

He added that Kwankwaso had not communicated any grievance with the party to the movement.

Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has said that worsening insecurity and economic hardship in the country could affect President Bola Tinubu’s chances of re-election if not urgently addressed.

Dalung made the remarks while speaking with Seun Okibaloye on the current state of the nation, saying many Nigerians are increasingly frustrated by rising insecurity, unemployment, and economic difficulties.

He argued that these challenges remain the major concerns of voters ahead of future elections.

“The main offense that Tinubu would have said to have committed in the eyes of voters would be insecurity,” he said.

He added that economic hardship and alleged mismanagement of the economy were also key issues affecting public perception of the government.

“Insecurity, untold hardship, mismanagement of the economy, corruption, unemployment,” he said.

Dalung further claimed that ordinary Nigerians are not the ones benefiting from the government’s reforms, saying instead that only those in government appear to be better off.

“The only people from 2023 to now that have been transformed are Tinubu and people in his government,” he said.

According to him, the situation reflects widespread frustration among citizens, whom he said are struggling under current economic conditions.

He also expressed concern about rising tensions in parts of the Southwest, particularly in Ibadan, warning that such developments should not be ignored by the government.

“Have you ever imagined what is happening in the Southwest? Where in Ibadan… you could hear women coming out shouting ‘ole, ole,’” he said.

“Those things happening in Ibadan, government should not ignore it. Because it is going to take us through the same political path we have been in our history,” he cautioned.