Power-Sharing Showdown: NDC Replaces Kwankwasiyya-Nominated Candidates in Kano

Former Kano State governor and leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso

Power-Sharing Showdown: NDC Replaces Kwankwasiyya-Nominated Candidates in Kano

KANO, Nigeria — Tensions within the New Democratic Congress (NDC) have erupted into the open after the party’s leadership in Kano State replaced several candidates previously nominated by the influential Kwankwasiyya political movement. The dramatic revision of the candidate list is being justified as an enforcement of a 60/40 power-sharing agreement, but insiders say the move has infuriated loyalists of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the movement’s leader and former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP). The crisis, if not swiftly resolved, risks fracturing the party’s structure in one of Nigeria’s most politically significant states and could force a major realignment ahead of future elections.

At the heart of the conflict is a power-sharing formula brokered by the NDC’s National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson. The agreement was struck when Senator Kwankwaso and his large political following joined the NDC. Under the terms, the Kwankwasiyya bloc was allocated 60% of elective positions and party offices, while the original NDC structure retained the remaining 40%. However, NDC leaders in Kano allege that the initial list of nominees submitted by the Kwankwasiyya faction did not reflect this ratio. Instead, they claim, the movement sought to dominate all available tickets, effectively locking out non-Kwankwasiyya members from contesting.

In a statement addressed to Senator Dickson, Senator Kwankwaso, and the NDC North-West Zonal Chairman, Kano State Chairman Hon. Hussaini Isah Mairiga explained that the revisions were necessary to “preserve internal harmony and avoid an escalation of disagreements.” The party’s spokesperson, Comrade Ibrahim Waya, added: “The founding members built the NDC’s Kano structure before Kwankwaso’s integration. The agreement was clear—60/40. We acted to protect that formula and prevent internal disputes.”

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Following the party’s directive, the NDC approved a new slate of candidates for several federal constituencies in Kano State. For the Kumbotso Federal Constituency seat, the party approved Barrister Isma’il Idris Sani as its candidate. Other approved nominees include Nasiru Ali Ahmed for Nassarawa, Kabiru Ishaq Sa’id for Kano Municipal, and Barrister Dayyabu Jamilu Ibrahim for Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency. Additionally, Muhammad Hamisu Abubakar will contest for the Dawakin Tofa/Rimin Gado/Tofa Federal Constituency seat, while Ibrahim Bashir Bango was selected for Sumaila/Takai Federal Constituency. Abdulmajid Isa Umar Mairigar Fata was also named as the party’s candidate for Gwale. In addition to federal seats, the party confirmed adjustments to several Kano State House of Assembly candidacies, particularly in the Dala, Tarauni, Kumbotso, Ungogo, and Dawakin Kudu local government areas.

Despite the public humiliation of seeing its nominated candidates dropped, the Kwankwasiyya movement has officially denied any plan to exit the NDC. Its spokesperson, Habeeb Saleh Mohammed, described rumours of an imminent defection as “false and unfounded.” “There was never a time it was discussed that our party leader is leaving the party. That is our position,” Mohammed stated. He further explained that the movement conducted its primaries on May 29 in line with the INEC timetable and had already forwarded results to the party leadership.

On Monday night, Senator Kwankwaso took to his official X (formerly Twitter) account to address the situation indirectly. He downplayed talk of a breakup by highlighting ongoing party engagements. “This evening, I hosted a highly productive meeting with the NDC candidates from Kogi State at my residence in Abuja. We had robust deliberations on the way forward and concrete strategies for our collective victory,” he posted. While the post made no direct reference to the Kano crisis, political observers see it as an attempt to project unity and dispel defection rumours.

However, behind the official denials, deep anger is brewing. A source close to the movement disclosed that Senator Kwankwaso is privately unhappy with the cancellation of his loyalists’ nominations. “If not resolved amicably, this situation will affect the perception of the movement and send a serious danger to the unity of the NDC in Kano State,” the source warned. Another insider hinted that Kwankwaso may decide to quit the party if the matter is not reversed, though a different source described the crisis as “a minor problem” that would ultimately be resolved.

The crisis has also attracted the attention of national political figures. Former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad weighed in via X, advising Kwankwaso to leave the NDC if he genuinely believes he has been treated unfairly. “If Kwankwaso feels the NDC leadership has betrayed him and his movement, he should not hesitate to seek another platform. Political marriage without respect is slavery,” Ahmad wrote.

The coming weeks will be critical for the NDC-Kwankwasiyya alliance. Both sides have expressed a desire to resolve the dispute, but the gap between their positions remains wide. The NDC insists on strict adherence to the 60/40 power-sharing deal. The Kwankwasiyya movement maintains it followed due process in nominating its candidates. Unless a middle ground is found, the party risks losing one of its biggest political assets in northern Nigeria—Senator Kwankwaso and his massive grassroots following. For now, the Kano political landscape remains on edge, with all eyes on Abuja, where the party’s national leadership is expected to intervene.