By Eselemo Broderick, Abuja
As the political future of Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso remains shrouded in uncertainty, the former presidential flagbearer of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) says the numerous litigations bogging down opposition parties are “externally influenced legal problems”.
Against the backdrop of the euphoria generated by the recent Supreme Court judgement that restored the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kwankwaso says the party is still in “precarious position”.
In a post on his verified Facebook page to explain his political future, the former Kano State governor affirmed that “we have commenced wide-ranging consultations — including with leaders from the NDC, PRP and others to explore the best options for protecting our democratic interests”.
Apparently, he does not believe the Supreme Court judgement has not adequately shielded the ADC and other opposition parties from further legal quagmire at lower courts that may incapacitate them from participating in the 2027 general elections.
The text of his statement reads:
“We have noted recent media reports and discussions suggesting a possible realignment within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) due to the current challenges facing the party.
“In light of the misleading narratives in the public domain, I wish to state categorically that no final decision has been taken regarding my political future or that of my political associates.
“The recent Supreme Court judgment, while affirming the legitimacy of the David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC), also remitted the matter back to the High Court. This has left the party in a precarious position.
“In addition, the Federal High Court has recently ruled to delegitimise the party’s recent convention. The Attorney General of the Federation has also strangely applied to a Federal High Court to deregister the ADC.
“We left the NNPP due to externally influenced legal problems that made our stay perilous. The ADC has now been also forced into this difficulty.
“Consequently, like other major stakeholders, we have commenced wide-ranging consultations — including with leaders from the NDC, PRP and others to explore the best options for protecting our democratic interests. We shall announce our decision in the soonest possible time.
“On the issue of presidential candidacy, I wish to recall my consistent record as a committed democrat. In the 2014 APC presidential primary, I came second to President Muhammadu Buhari (whom I fully supported to victory), with Atiku Abubakar third, Rochas Okorocha fourth, and the late Sam Nda-Isaiah fifth. Similarly, in 2019, I contested the PDP presidential ticket and immediately supported the winner, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, serving as the campaign’s coordinator in the North. I have always placed national interest and party unity above personal ambition.
“Furthermore, the ADC is yet to zone its presidential ticket or take any decision on a candidate. I have therefore neither declared any intention to run for president nor endorsed any aspirant. All speculations to the contrary are premature and unfounded.
“My absence from the two recent ADC stakeholders’ meetings was due to unavoidable personal commitments. I promptly communicated my apologies to the party leadership.
“We shall continue to engage constructively at all levels. Any definitive position on our political direction will be communicated formally through official channels at the appropriate time.”
In the past two weeks, the political terrain has been abuzz with speculations that Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of Labour Party in 2023 may team up with Kwankwaso as the consensus candidate of the ADC to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027. But with Atiku Abubakar, former vice president and main stalwart of the party, yet to indicate his readiness to heed calls for him to step down for the duo, their political trajectory remains unclear.
