KANO, Nigeria – Former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has clarified that his departure from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) alongside Peter Obi was not due to a personal rift with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Okay News reports that Kwankwaso, speaking on Monday during a televised interview, explained that the exit was a strategic move driven by unresolved internal issues within the ADC. He noted that the party currently faces three major structural challenges that could jeopardize its ability to field credible candidates in upcoming elections.
The former presidential candidate emphasized that politics requires flexibility and should be viewed as a contest of ideas rather than a personal battle. He dismissed rumors of hostility among opposition figures, pointing out his history of competing against Atiku in various primaries—including the 2015 APC primary and the 2019 PDP primary—without lingering animosity. Kwankwaso recalled his role as Atiku’s northern coordinator in 2019 as evidence of their professional working relationship.
Addressing his future political direction, Kwankwaso stated that he is not at war with anyone and does not expect hostility in return. This clarification comes shortly after he expressed support for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and its decision to zone the 2027 presidency to the South, further signaling a realignment of major opposition forces ahead of the next general elections.
