NDC drops Kwankwasiyya nominees, cites 60-40 power deal

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has replaced several candidates earlier submitted by the Kwankwasiyya movement in Kano State, citing the need to enforce an existing power-sharing agreement between the two political blocs.

The decision was contained in a document signed by the Kano State Chairman of the party, Hon. Hussaini Isah Mairiga, and circulated to key stakeholders, including NDC National Leader, Seriake Dickson, Kwankwasiyya leader Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and the party’s North-West Zonal Chairman.

According to the document, the changes were made following an alleged breach of an earlier agreement governing the distribution of party offices and elective positions between the NDC’s original structure and the Kwankwasiyya faction.

The party maintained that the arrangement provides for a 60-40 sharing formula, with the Kwankwasiyya bloc entitled to 60 per cent of positions while the existing NDC structure retains 40 per cent.

As part of the adjustments, the party approved a new list of candidates for several federal constituencies in Kano State. They include Barrister Isma’il Idris Sani for Kumbotso Federal Constituency, Nasiru Ali Ahmed for Nassarawa, Kabiru Ishaq Sa’id for Kano Municipal, Barrister Dayyabu Jamilu Ibrahim for Doguwa/Tudun Wada, Muhammad Hamisu Abubakar for Dawakin Tofa/Rimin Gado/Tofa, Ibrahim Bashir Bango for Sumaila/Takai, and Abdulmajid Isa Umar Mairigar Fata for Gwale Federal Constituency.

The party also reviewed nominations for State House of Assembly seats in Dala, Tarauni, Kumbotso, Ungogo and Dawakin Kudu constituencies.

The development comes amid reports of growing tensions within the alliance over the implementation of the power-sharing arrangement ahead of future elections.

While the party insists the changes were made to preserve the agreed balance between the two blocs, reports indicate that the move has generated discontent within sections of the Kwankwasiyya camp.

Neither Kwankwaso nor the affected candidates had publicly responded to the changes as of the time of filing this report.