Insider reveals the deal between Kwankwaso and ADC leaders–the demands and concessions
Insider reveals the deal between Kwankwaso and ADC leaders–the demands and concessions
Former governor of Kano state and leader of the Kwankwasiyya political movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is set to officially join the coalition party–African Democratic Congress (ADC) after reaching an agreement with the party’s national leadership.
A reliable source who is privy to the development, told Reliant.ng that the terms for Kwankwaso joining the ADC have been agreed upon and that the former Kano state governor will likely made his defection to the party official in the last week of March, barring any last minute changes.
According to the source, after months of consultations and mediation by former president Olusegun Obasanjo, Kwankwaso and the ADC are finally going to unite against the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).
Former president Olusegun Obasanjo must be praised for his role in brokering the deal between the Kwankwasiyya and the ADC”.
The source disclosed that Kwankwaso initial terms of joining the party were considered unrealistic by the ADC leadership and took unnecessary time.
The source highlighted that Kwankwaso had requested a %100 control over the political structure of the ADC in three northwest states at least, comprising Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa/Zamfara state. Kwankwaso included Zamfara state when the state governor, Dauda Lawal who had been linked to the ADC decided to join the APC instead. The former Kano state governor sought to decide all the ADC’s candidates for all the positions for the 2027 general elections in those states. This is in addition to his interest in the party’s presidential ticket or vice presidential ticket.
The born of contention has been his demands. Aside seeking the presidential or vice presidential ticket of the party, the former Kano state governor told the ADC that he must be given the structure of the party in Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina. He added Zamfara state when governor Dauda Lawal changed his mind over ADC. His demands made the prolonged the negotiation unnecessarily”.
The source explained that the ADC has concluded on adopting a consensus presidential candidate for 2027 rather than going by a direct primary as the new electoral act stipulates. Hence, Kwankwaso was made to understand that the party is more focused on its collective success which is winning the 2027 presidential election than serving as a platform for politicians to grab power.
He was told that the party is more committed to defeating Tinubu rather than on power sharing and serving as a platform for the political elite to pursue their political interests. He is told that the ADC is on a sincere rescue mission and does not want to replicate the mistake of the APC by serving as a platform for power grabbing”.
He added that while Kwankwaso was granted 100% control over the party in his home state, Kano, the other three states, he was given some control over the party’s structure in those states.
