KANO, Nigeria — A fresh crisis has emerged within the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) after the party replaced several candidates earlier submitted by the Kwankwasiyya movement in Kano State, triggering a reported threat by former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to leave the party.
Okay News reports that the dispute centres on the implementation of a power-sharing arrangement between the Kwankwasiyya bloc and the party’s existing structure in Kano. According to a document signed by the Kano State NDC Chairman, Hon. Hussaini Isah Mairiga, the candidate substitutions were made to align with an agreement on the distribution of party positions and elective tickets.
The document, which was copied to NDC National Leader Senator Seriake Dickson, Kwankwaso, and the party’s North-West Zonal Chairman, stated that the original nominations breached the agreed formula for sharing political offices.
Under the revised arrangement, the party approved new candidates for several federal constituencies, including Kumbotso, Nassarawa, Kano Municipal, Doguwa/Tudun Wada, Dawakin Tofa/Rimin Gado/Tofa, Sumaila/Takai, and Gwale. Changes were also made to State House of Assembly tickets across Dala, Tarauni, Kumbotso, Ungogo, and Dawakin Kudu constituencies.
The NDC maintained that there was a standing agreement under which the Kwankwasiyya bloc would control 60 per cent of elective positions and party offices, while the party’s original structure would retain 40 per cent. Party officials argued that the latest adjustments were necessary to preserve that balance.
The development has heightened tensions within the coalition, with reports indicating that Kwankwaso is dissatisfied with the alterations and may reconsider his future in the party if the affected candidates are not restored.
Neither Kwankwaso nor the national leadership of the NDC had publicly announced a final decision on the matter as of the time of reporting, but the dispute is expected to test the stability of the alliance ahead of the 2027 elections.
