NDC Primary Row: Non-Kwankwasiyya Aspirants Denied Forms – Officials
By Ahmad Tijjani Abdul
KANO — A fresh crisis has erupted within the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kano State, as senior party officials accused Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of denying nomination forms to aspirants outside the Kwankwasiyya movement during the party’s primary process.
The allegations were contained in a joint statement issued by the party’s North-West Vice Chairman, Mohammed Rabiu Serina, and Kano State Chairman, Hussaini Isa Mariga, who claimed that non-Kwankwasiyya members were effectively excluded from contesting elective positions on the party’s platform.
According to the officials, the dispute began after Kwankwaso and his supporters joined the party and sought greater influence over its structures in Kano.
They said an earlier intervention by the party’s national leadership led to a power-sharing arrangement under which Kwankwaso’s camp controlled 60 percent of the party structure, while existing members retained 40 percent.
“We accepted the arrangement in the interest of peace and party unity and continued to work harmoniously with Senator Kwankwaso,” the statement said.
“Some of us even adopted Kwankwasiyya symbols as a demonstration of goodwill and cooperation.”
The officials, however, alleged that the understanding broke down during the nomination process. They claimed that all nomination forms for elective positions were handed over to Kwankwaso with the expectation that stakeholders would be accommodated.
“Despite repeated engagements, Senator Kwankwaso refused to allow access to nomination forms by party members outside the Kwankwasiyya group,” they alleged.
“He declined to allocate any of the forms for State Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, or Governorship positions to members who were not part of his political movement.”
Serina further claimed that even party executives were denied access to the forms. “More troubling was his refusal to allocate nomination forms to the State Chairman, myself, or any other party officer who was not affiliated with the Kwankwasiyya group,” he said.
The officials disclosed that several efforts were made to resolve the matter, including interventions by the party’s National Leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, and members of the National Working Committee. According to them, all attempts to persuade Kwankwaso to accommodate other aspirants proved unsuccessful.
“It is our position that no individual possesses an exclusive monopoly over political wisdom or electoral viability in Kano State,” the statement added. “There are numerous credible and electable individuals within the party who deserve consideration.”
The NDC leaders also rejected claims that Kwankwaso financially sustained the party, insisting that party activities in Kano were funded independently before his arrival.
“For the avoidance of doubt, our records indicate that Senator Kwankwaso has not made any financial contribution to the party structure in Kano State or at the national level,” they alleged.
The officials maintained that their opposition was not directed at Kwankwaso personally but against what they described as attempts to make membership of the Kwankwasiyya movement the sole criterion for political participation within the party.
“We are not members of the Kwankwasiyya movement, and we cannot accept a situation in which membership of a particular political group becomes the sole basis for participation, recognition, or eligibility for elective office within our party,” they stated.
They reaffirmed their commitment to the NDC and pledged to continue working with the party’s national leadership to build what they described as an inclusive and credible political platform ahead of future elections.
As at press time, neither Kwankwaso or his Kwankwasiyya movement have responded to the allegations.
