ABUJA, Nigeria — Former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has questioned the ability of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to secure substantial votes in southern Nigeria, dismissing the party as a serious electoral threat ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Kwankwaso, the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), said his party was gaining political support in northern Nigeria and expressed confidence in its position against the ADC.
“We are not worried about ADC because I am not sure they can win 25% anywhere in the South and as for the North, we are making tremendous progress,” he said.
The remarks were reported by 247Ureports on Sunday, October 11, 2026.
The publication said it had been unable to establish where Kwankwaso originally made the statement. No independent recording or transcript of the remarks was identified.
His assessment was not accompanied by polling figures or other evidence establishing the level of support enjoyed by either party.
Kwankwaso’s comments concern two opposition parties that were previously part of the same political coalition.
He and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi left the ADC in May to join the NDC, following disagreements and internal disputes within the party.
The NDC subsequently nominated Obi as its presidential candidate and Kwankwaso as his running mate at a special convention in Abuja.
Kwankwaso attributed his departure from the ADC to internal crises and continuing legal challenges affecting the party.
The ADC, meanwhile, selected former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate, with former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate.
The two opposition tickets are seeking to challenge President Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 election.
Kwankwaso’s reference to 25 per cent reflects the constitutional requirement that a successful presidential candidate secure a specified geographical distribution of votes, in addition to receiving the highest number of votes nationwide.
Kwankwaso has previously rejected concerns that the existence of separate ADC and NDC presidential tickets could weaken the opposition.
In earlier remarks, he challenged Abubakar to await the election results and dismissed concerns about competing opposition support in Kano State.
The former governor also supported the NDC’s decision to reserve its presidential nomination for a southern candidate for a single term.
In August, Kwankwaso coordinated the submission of the party’s candidates for the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The NDC has continued preparations for the election, presenting its political organisation in the North as an important part of its campaign.
The ADC has also proceeded with preparations under Abubakar and Amaechi.
Leaders of the ruling APC have separately questioned the ability of either opposition party to challenge Tinubu.
APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, have maintained that neither the ADC nor the NDC poses a significant threat to the ruling party.
They have cited the APC’s representation among state governors and members of the National Assembly as evidence of its political strength.
Kwankwaso’s latest remarks reflect the continuing disagreements among opposition figures who had previously explored cooperation against the APC.
