Supporters of Rabiu Kwankwaso have rejected reports that the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) replaced several candidates loyal to the former Kano governor in Kano State.
The row follows allegations that the party acted after a breach of a power-sharing agreement between the Kwankwasiyya bloc and the existing NDC structure.
A document said to have been signed by Kano State Chairman, Hon. Hussaini Isah Mairiga, reportedly adjusted the list of federal and state assembly candidates.
The letter was also copied to NDC National Leader Senator Seriake Dickson, Kwankwaso, and the party’s North-West Zonal Chairman.
When contacted on Monday, the national spokesperson of the Kwankwassiyya Movement, Habib Mai-Lemo, rejected the document and said the group would treat the report as a rumour for now.
He said the state chairman and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, were involved in the process that produced the candidates.
“I also saw on social media that some candidates are being dropped a week after the primaries were conducted.”
“It was not Kwankwaso that sold nomination forms, it was the party and as such processes were followed either through consensus or primary election.”
“All our candidates participated in the processes from start to finish. While the processes were going on, we never received any complaints from anybody.”
“We didn’t block anybody from buying forms because at the first place we didn’t sell the forms.”
“All the candidates followed due processes. We don’t know where this issue is coming from but we are waiting to see if it is true or not because we have not received a copy of the letter allegedly signed by the State Chairman of the NDC.”
“We know that the state was part of the process. He was there when consensus took place, even INEC was there so for now, we are treating it as a rumour.”
Power-Sharing Deal At Centre Of Row
The dispute links back to an earlier 60-40 arrangement said to have been brokered by party leader Seriake Dickson.
Party officials Mohammed Rabiu Serina and Hussaini Isa Mariga alleged that Kwankwaso sought full control of the Kano structure during the state congresses.
They said the agreement gave Kwankwasiyya 60 per cent of the structure, while the party’s original structure kept 40 per cent.
The officials also said they helped build the party’s structures across Kano and the North-West before Kwankwaso and his supporters joined.
Under the revised list, the party reportedly approved candidates for Kumbotso, Nassarawa, Kano Municipal, Doguwa/Tudun Wada, Dawakin Tofa/Rimin Gado/Tofa, Sumaila/Takai and Gwale.
Tickets were also adjusted for several Kano State House of Assembly constituencies, including Dala, Tarauni, Kumbotso, Ungogo and Dawakin Kudu.
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