Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) vice presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is reportedly considering a move to the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) as a leadership dispute over candidate nominations deepens within the NDC.
The reported crisis is centred on the control of the party’s Kano State chapter and the sharing of tickets for elective offices.
Sources within the party told Nigerian Tribune that disagreements between Kwankwaso’s camp and some party leaders have continued to grow, raising concerns about unity in the NDC.
According to party insiders, the National Working Committee (NWC) and the party’s national leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, have been trying to calm tensions as complaints increase over the nomination process in Kano.
The sources claimed that Kwankwaso’s camp has already secured most of the major tickets in the state, including senatorial and House of Representatives positions, while his preferred candidate, Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, emerged as the governorship candidate.
They also alleged that former APC governorship candidate Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, who recently joined the NDC, was left out of the arrangement.
The sources further claimed that Kwankwaso wants to determine all 44 State House of Assembly candidates in Kano.
Party insiders said the disagreement became more serious after the NWC reportedly asked Kwankwaso to give up two assembly tickets, a request he allegedly rejected.
They added that some party officials were unhappy that even the North-West National Vice Chairman, Mohammed Sabo Barkin Zuwo, could not secure a nomination for his preferred candidate.
The sources also claimed that Kwankwaso has opened discussions with the PRP and that some of his loyalists have already collected nomination forms under the party in Kano.
They further alleged that he attempted to persuade NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi to consider joining the PRP, arguing that the party has a stronger political base in northern Nigeria.
However, Obi was said to have declined the suggestion.
Some aggrieved NDC members in Kano were preparing to resign from the party over the dispute before Senator Seriake Dickson intervened to calm the situation.
Reacting to the reports, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, confirmed that there are disagreements within the Kano chapter but said efforts are ongoing to resolve all outstanding issues before the final list of candidates is submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He also dismissed reports of an impending defection, saying the party leadership is engaging stakeholders across Kano and remains committed to resolving the crisis before the 2027 elections.
