The Kwankwasiyya movement has refuted reports suggesting that its leader and former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is preparing to leave the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) over an alleged disagreement concerning candidate nominations in Kano State.
Speaking on Monday, the spokesperson of the Kwankwasiyya faction, Habeeb Saleh Mohammed, described the reports as baseless speculation and social media rumours lacking any official confirmation.
According to Mohammed, there has been no indication whatsoever that Kwankwaso intends to abandon the party, stressing that the claims currently making the rounds online are not backed by facts.
“Well, this is still a rumour. It is just being circulated on social media,” he said.
Mohammed maintained that the faction adhered strictly to electoral regulations and complied fully with the timetable issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission during the conduct of its primary elections.
He explained that the primaries were held on May 29, in line with the schedule observed across the country, and that the process was transparent and consistent with the provisions guiding party nominations.
“The reality is that we conducted our primaries according to the law and in line with the INEC timetable. We held our primaries on May 29, just as was done across the country,” he stated.
According to him, extensive consultations and consensus-building efforts preceded the primaries, resulting in the emergence of candidates for various elective positions without major disputes or opposition from party members and aspirants.
He noted that the process enjoyed broad acceptance within the faction and was completed without any significant complaints from stakeholders involved.
“Before that date, there were processes that led to consensus and candidates emerged for different positions. There were no complaints from party members or aspirants during that period,” Mohammed said.
The spokesperson further disclosed that after the completion of the primaries, the list of successful candidates was forwarded to the party leadership for the necessary administrative and electoral procedures.
“I believe we conducted the process successfully and submitted the list to the party. It is now left for the party to do what it considers appropriate,” he added.
Mohammed insisted that discussions about Kwankwaso leaving the NDC had never taken place within the movement and that members remained committed to the party.
He stressed that the rumours did not reflect the position of the Kwankwasiyya faction and should not be taken as an indication of any internal decision.
“From our own perspective, these are issues we keep hearing here and there. There was never a time when it was discussed that our party leader, Kwankwaso, is leaving the party. That is our position,” he said.
The clarification comes amid reports alleging that several candidates linked to the Kwankwasiyya bloc in Kano State were replaced by the NDC leadership following claims of a breach of a purported 60-40 power-sharing arrangement said to favour Kwankwaso’s supporters.
The reports also referenced a document allegedly issued by the Kano State NDC Chairman, Hon. Hussaini Isah Mairiga, on Monday, which purportedly formed the basis of the controversy.
However, the Kwankwasiyya faction has maintained that its candidate selection process was properly conducted and that there is currently no plan for Kwankwaso to exit the party.
