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By Oscar Okhifo
Former Kano State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is threatening to leave the opposition party following a fresh dispute over the allocation of elective tickets and party offices in Kano State.
The disagreement is said to have erupted after the party leadership reviewed and replaced several candidates earlier submitted by the Kwankwasiyya Movement, a development that has reportedly generated discontent within the former governor’s political camp.
Sources familiar with the matter said the changes were introduced to implement a previously agreed 60-40 power-sharing arrangement between the Kwankwasiyya bloc and the original NDC structure in Kano State.
Under the understanding, the Kwankwasiyya faction was expected to control 60 per cent of elective positions and party offices, while the existing NDC structure would retain the remaining 40 per cent.
However, a document reportedly endorsed by the Kano State NDC Chairman, Hon. Hussaini Isah Mairiga, showed that adjustments were made to the list of candidates for several federal constituency and state assembly elections, a move that has reportedly heightened tensions within the party.
The affected federal constituencies reportedly include Kumbotso, Nassarawa, Kano Municipal, Doguwa/Tudun Wada, Dawakin Tofa/Rimin Gado/Tofa, Sumaila/Takai and Gwale, while changes were also said to have been made to House of Assembly tickets in Dala, Tarauni, Kumbotso, Ungogo and Dawakin Kudu constituencies.
The controversy comes barely days after NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi formally unveiled Kwankwaso as his running mate for the 2027 general election, a political alliance widely viewed as a major boost to the opposition’s electoral ambitions.
The reported Kano dispute has emerged amid growing complaints over the conduct of the NDC’s ongoing primaries across several states, with concerns ranging from ticket allocation to the delay in the announcement of official results.
Speaking on Raypower FM’s Political Platform programme on Monday, Anambra senator and senior NDC chieftain, victor Umeh, acknowledged the widespread grievances but insisted that the party leadership was making efforts to calm the situation and reconcile aggrieved members.
He also defended the delay in announcing some primary results, maintaining that the party had violated no law by withholding the outcomes.
According to him, the Electoral Act only requires that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) receive the final list of nominated candidates within the prescribed period, while internal consultations continue.
Political observers say the reported disagreement involving Kwankwaso could further test the cohesion of the opposition party at a time when it is already contending with internal disagreements arising from its primary elections.
Analysts also warn that any breakdown in relations with the former Kano governor could have far-reaching political implications, given his influence in Kano State and the North-West region.
The development has equally revived speculation in some quarters over whether the Obi-Kwankwaso alliance can withstand mounting internal pressures ahead of the 2027 general election.
As of the time of filing this report, Kwankwaso and the national leadership of the NDC had yet to officially respond to the reports of the ticket dispute and the alleged threat by the former Kano governor to leave the party.
The authenticity of the reported exit threat therefore remains unverified.
Whether the NDC can successfully resolve its internal disagreements and emerge as a united platform ahead of the 2027 polls remains to be seen.