A fresh crisis has emerged within the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kano State following disagreements over the distribution of party positions and election tickets between long-standing party members and supporters of former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.The dispute centers on an earlier agreement that reportedly allocated 60 percent of party and elective positions to the Kwankwasiyya Movement and 40 percent to existing NDC members after Kwankwaso joined the party.
While both factions initially agreed to the arrangement and conducted consensus primaries, tensions resurfaced after allegations that the agreed formula was not respected during candidate selection.In response to complaints from founding party members, the NDC leadership in Kano reportedly reassigned five House of Representatives tickets and seven State Assembly tickets from Kwankwaso-backed candidates to members of the original party structure.
The party’s Kano spokesman, Ibrahim Waya, accused the Kwankwasiyya bloc of sidelining old members despite repeated appeals for fair representation. He maintained that the party had not yet received its full 40 percent allocation and warned that more seats could be reclaimed to meet the agreed quota.However, Kwankwasiyya spokesperson Habibu Saleh Mohammed dismissed the allegations as baseless, insisting that all stakeholders were involved throughout the consensus process. He questioned why objections were being raised days after the candidates’ list had already been finalized.
Amid the growing controversy, the NDC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) has introduced measures aimed at strengthening internal democracy, enforcing party discipline, and reconciling aggrieved members. The party also established a National Reconciliation Committee to address emerging disputes.Political analyst Dr. Kabiru Sa’id Sufi warned that unresolved tensions in Kano could weaken the party’s prospects ahead of future elections and potentially affect the proposed Obi–Kwankwaso political alliance.
He stressed that Kano remains a crucial base for the party in northern Nigeria and that any major defections could significantly impact its electoral strength.As both factions continue to trade accusations, observers say the NDC’s ability to manage internal disagreements may determine its stability and competitiveness in the run-up to the 2027 elections.
About The Author
