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.

National Publicity Secretary, Arewa Consultative Forum, Prof. Tukur Mohammed-Baba, has said that it would be surprising to him if the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi performs as he did in the 2023 presidential election.

Speaking on Arise News, Mohammed-Baba pointed out that many things had changed, including Peter Obi moving to about two or three political parties.

He said that the NDC vice presidential candidate, Engr Rabiu Kwankwaso delivered Kano State in 2023 but that he doubts if the former New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, presidential candidate in 2023 will do the same in 2027.

He said, “What is becoming clear is that these people have been playing the politics of individuals. Who is going to be what? Who is going to represent a platform, and so on.

“There is everything wrong with personal ambitions, because politics is for service to the people, and so long as you are not there to serve the people, then your ambition remains what it is, personal.

“We are a country of about 220 to 230 million, and the wishes of individuals to occupy positions of authority amount to nothing. They become hollow when you want to translate it into tangible products to the electorate. 

“I can assure you that the typical person on the street I have spoken to, and I keep talking to a lot of people, they will tell you that there is nothing. They are on their own. It’s only God that will save them. It’s only prayers. Even when people know that there are limits to prayer, there has to be action before prayer. 

“Now, when you look at it, most of these parties, it’s all about individuals.

“Yes, Peter Obi made inroads in 2023, and he performed wonderfully. But then, I think that what has happened since then has vitiated his support and I will be very surprised if he performs as much as he did in 2023, especially giving the choice in the last one year or so.

“He has moved to about two or three parties, so the question we ask is, what does he want?

“And then, of course, you take the running mate, Kwankwaso delivered Kano State, and let’s be reasonable, there is great doubt on whether he can make the same in 2027, especially now you look at it, he has been saying the wrong things.”