Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, running mate to Peter Obi on the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential ticket, has rejected allegations by the African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) that he is working to advance President Bola Tinubu’s political interests ahead of the 2027 general election.

Kwankwaso stated this in a post on his X account on Sunday, insisting that the NDC would not withdraw from the presidential race in favour of the ADC or any other political party.

He described the attacks directed at him, Obi and the NDC as unnecessary, accusing the ADC campaign council of attempting to undermine his party instead of presenting its own candidate’s credentials to Nigerians.

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“The attacks directed at me, our presidential candidate His Excellency Peter Obi, and our party, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), are unnecessary and unhelpful,” he said.

Kwankwaso alleged that the ADC-PCC was attempting to portray the NDC ticket as working for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and spreading suggestions that the party could withdraw from the presidential contest at the last minute.

“Let me state clearly and unequivocally: we will not withdraw our candidature for the ADC or any other party. We remain confident in our capacity, competence, and readiness to lead Nigeria,” he said.

He also dismissed allegations that the NDC ticket was acting on behalf of Tinubu or the APC.

“The OK ticket is neither working for nor acting on behalf of the APC or any of its candidates,” he added.

Kwankwaso’s statement came amid a dispute with the ADC Presidential Campaign Council over his comments concerning the opposition’s preparations for the 2027 presidential election.

The ADC-PCC had accused him of advancing Tinubu’s political interests after he called on former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to step aside in favour of Obi.

The campaign council argued that Kwankwaso should focus on challenging the ruling APC rather than directing his attention towards other opposition figures.

It also alleged that his position could deepen divisions among opposition parties and undermine efforts to defeat Tinubu in the next general election.

The ADC-PCC’s criticism prompted Kwankwaso to defend his political intentions and reject suggestions that he was working to weaken the opposition or facilitate the ruling party’s electoral prospects.

Responding to the allegations, Kwankwaso argued that the ADC offered no better alternative to the ruling APC, insisting that the NDC presented a credible option for Nigerians seeking political change.

“The APC-led government has failed Nigerians. The ADC offers no better alternative,” he said.

He described the NDC presidential ticket as a viable option backed by competence, credibility, a strong track record and support across Northern and Southern Nigeria.

According to him, the ticket is committed to uniting the country and addressing challenges in security, education, agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare and the economy.

Kwankwaso also maintained that the NDC remained the country’s most formidable and viable opposition party.

He urged supporters and other Nigerians to remain committed to the party’s electoral campaign.

“I therefore urge all our supporters and well-meaning Nigerians to continue working toward the victory of our great party,” he said.

He concluded with the assurance: “Nigeria will be OK.”

Political economist and former presidential candidate, Pat Utomi, has blamed election-related judicial decisions for the declining public perception of Nigeria’s judiciary, saying rulings on electoral disputes have contributed significantly to the loss of confidence in the institution.

Utomi said the impact of such decisions was evident in the questions ordinary Nigerians were asking about the judiciary, particularly when court judgments produce electoral outcomes that appear inconsistent with the results initially announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Speaking in a video, he described election rulings as a major source of the judiciary’s diminishing public standing.

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“Elections and rulings on matters of elections have been the biggest source of the diminishing of the judiciary in Nigeria,” he said.

Utomi recalled visiting a rural community where residents questioned the logic behind judicial decisions determining electoral outcomes.

He cited the 2020 Imo State governorship election, in which the Supreme Court overturned the declaration of Emeka Ihedioha as governor and declared Hope Uzodimma the winner.

According to Utomi, the judgment had become an example cited by citizens questioning the credibility of the judicial process.

“They say to you, this kind of judiciary we have, when you have election, and number four suddenly becomes the winner. Is there any logic in this, your judiciary functions?” he said, recounting the concerns expressed by the residents.

The Supreme Court delivered the judgment on January 14, 2020, declaring Uzodimma of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the winner of the Imo State governorship election and removing Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from office.

The decision generated considerable debate about the role of the judiciary in resolving electoral disputes and its implications for public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

Utomi also questioned whether members of the legal profession were concerned about the effect of public perceptions on the dignity of the judiciary.

He challenged lawyers and judges to reflect on the declining respect for the profession and consider what could be done to restore public confidence in the courts.

“Is the legal profession, the bar, the bench, not concerned with the diminishing of… you know, used to be, somebody’s a lawyer in the nineteen fifties, people would say, ‘Wow, lawyer.’ But today people are saying judge,” he said.

He further questioned whether legal practitioners recognised the need to rebuild the judiciary’s reputation.

“Is there no professional sense of a need to reestablish dignity behind the bench?” Utomi asked.

His comments highlight concerns about the relationship between judicial decisions, electoral credibility and public trust in democratic institutions.

Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has declared his support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, arguing that the North should respect an alleged power-sharing agreement between northern and southern political leaders.

Yusuf made the declaration at the unveiling of the Arewa for Asiwaju (A4A) National Headquarters in Abuja, where he pledged 100 per cent Northern support for Tinubu in the next presidential election.

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The governor cited an alleged agreement reached in 1999 under which the North and South would take turns to produce Nigeria’s president, with the North allowed to serve two consecutive terms.

He referenced the eight years served by former President Muhammadu Buhari, who governed Nigeria for two consecutive terms before Tinubu assumed office in 2023.

According to Yusuf, the North should respect the arrangement rather than seek to produce another presidential candidate in 2027.

“For me, and for every right-thinking Nigerian, especially for us here in the North, we don’t have any reason, we don’t have any cause to now contribute on that premise, even though not constitutionally,” he said.

“Common sense dictates that we have to respect this mutual agreement.”

Yusuf subsequently declared his support for Tinubu on behalf of the northern states and what he described as patriotic Northerners.

“I therefore, on behalf of all the northern states, on behalf of all Democrats, on behalf of all patriotic northern states, indigenous, we want to assure His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu of our full support one hundred percent,” the governor said.

He also urged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to openly support the president and work together towards victory in the 2027 election.

“We have all agreed we are members of the APC, and therefore we must work together to ensure that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his vice president emerge victorious,” Yusuf said.

The governor further called on party members to extend similar support to members of the National Assembly, state governors and members of state assemblies.

He congratulated the organisers of the event and wished participants well.