NDC Rocked by Fresh Crisis as Kwankwaso Threatens Exit Over Candidate List Shake-Up

A fresh political crisis is brewing within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is reportedly threatening to leave the party following the replacement of several candidates submitted by the Kwankwasiyya movement in Kano State.

The development stems from a dispute over the implementation of a power-sharing arrangement between the Kwankwasiyya bloc and the existing NDC structure in the state.

According to a document signed by Kano State NDC Chairman, Hon. Hussaini Isah Mairiga, the party approved a revised list of candidates after determining that the earlier submissions did not fully comply with an existing agreement on the allocation of party offices and elective positions.

The document, which was copied to NDC National Leader, Seriake Dickson, Kwankwaso, and the party’s North-West Zonal Chairman, stated that the adjustments were necessary to preserve the agreed balance of power within the party.

Under the revised arrangement, the NDC reaffirmed that elective positions and party offices would be shared on a 60-40 basis, with the Kwankwasiyya faction controlling 60 percent while the original NDC structure retains 40 percent.

As part of the changes, 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.

The party also reviewed nominations for State House of Assembly seats in Dala, Tarauni, Kumbotso, Ungogo, and Dawakin Kudu constituencies.

Sources familiar with the dispute said the decision has sparked tensions within the Kwankwasiyya camp, with fears that further alterations to the candidate list could trigger a major fallout ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The latest disagreement comes at a delicate time for the opposition coalition, which has been working to consolidate its ranks and strengthen its electoral prospects. Political observers warn that a breakdown in relations between the NDC leadership and the influential Kwankwasiyya movement could significantly affect the party’s fortunes in Kano, one of Nigeria’s most politically strategic states.

Neither Kwankwaso nor the NDC national leadership had officially commented on the reported threat to quit the party as of press time.

With preparations for the 2027 elections gathering momentum, the dispute is expected to test the cohesion of the emerging opposition platform and its ability to manage competing interests within its ranks.