Fresh tension has emerged within the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) following reports that former Kano State Governor and the party’s vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has threatened to leave the party over the replacement of several Kwankwasiyya-backed candidates in Kano State.
The dispute reportedly stems from the enforcement of a pre-agreed 60/40 power-sharing arrangement between the Kwankwasiyya bloc and the party’s original structure, which has triggered internal disagreements over the allocation of electoral tickets ahead of upcoming elections.
According to reports, the NDC leadership replaced several candidates earlier submitted by the Kwankwasiyya faction, citing an alleged breach of the power-sharing agreement.
A document sighted by Dailypost and attributed to the Kano State Chairman of the NDC, Hon. Hussaini Isah Mairiga, indicated that the adjustments were made to reflect the agreed distribution of party positions between both political blocs.
The document, which was also reportedly copied to the party’s national leadership, including National Leader Senator Seriake Dickson, Kwankwaso, and the NDC North-West Zonal Chairman, outlined the revised list of candidates for federal constituencies in Kano State.
Under the arrangement, Barr. Isma’il Idris Sani was listed for Kumbotso, Nasiru Ali Ahmed for Nassarawa, Kabiru Ishaq Sa’id for Kano Municipal, Barr. 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.
Adjustments were also reportedly made to the Kano State House of Assembly tickets across constituencies including Dala, Tarauni, Kumbotso, Ungogo and Dawakin Kudu.
The NDC is said to have operated a 60/40 power-sharing formula, with the Kwankwasiyya bloc allocated 60 per cent of positions while the party’s original structure retains 40 per cent.
The internal tension comes amid heightened political activity within the opposition, following earlier reports that the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, had announced Kwankwaso as his running mate for the 2027 general elections, signalling a major realignment within the party’s leadership structure.
The development has further raised questions about cohesion within the party as it prepares for upcoming electoral contests.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the list of candidates for forthcoming bye-elections across several senatorial and federal constituencies scheduled for June 20, 2026.
The elections will take place in Ondo South Senatorial District, Nasarawa North, Rivers South East, Enugu North, Kebbi State House of Assembly (Zuru Constituency), and the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency of Kano State.
In Ondo South, candidates include Adesanya Olaoluwa (APP), Faduyile Francis Adedayo (APC), Akinwumi Adeolu Harrison (APM) and Nejo Funso Clement (BP).
In Nasarawa North, candidates listed are Halilu Danladi Envwulu-Aza (APC), Maku Labaran (LP), John Paul Araneshri (NNPP) and Emmanuel David Ombugadu (PDP).
For Rivers South East, the candidates are Douglas Fabeeke Beeka (AA), Osarosaka Ebenezer Erewari (APC), Sam Kinanee Barikpoa (LP) and Nwogu Olaka Johnson (PDP).
In Enugu North, candidates include Asogwa Ikeje Israel (APC), Aneke Kingsley Chukwuebuka (BP) and Ezeme Nestor Chika (PDP).
For Kebbi State House of Assembly (Zuru Constituency), Garba Aiki Rabiu is contesting on the APC platform, while Aliyu Galadima Muhammad is representing LP.
In Kano’s Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency, Rabiu Shuaibu (APC), Lawan Garba Haruna (APM) and Abubakar Yahaya Muhammad (LP) are on the ballot.
The elections come amid a wave of political vacancies triggered by deaths and appointments, including those of lawmakers in Ondo, Nasarawa and Rivers states, as well as the emergence of new political appointments at the national level.
In a related development, supporters of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) staged a protest at the Federal High Court in Abuja, calling on the judiciary to protect opposition parties from political interference ahead of future elections.
The demonstration coincided with an ongoing legal battle over the party’s leadership structure between a faction led by Senator David Mark and another group headed by Nafiu Bala-Gombe.
The dispute follows a series of court rulings and appeals that have reshaped the leadership status of the party, with the Supreme Court previously remitting the matter to the Federal High Court for accelerated hearing.
Meanwhile, another legal challenge has been filed against the NDC itself, seeking to invalidate its registration on grounds of alleged non-compliance with constitutional provisions governing political party formation.
The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, was brought by Ahidjo Karlahi, protem director of the Organisation for All Democratic Alliance (ADA), who is asking the court to compel INEC to withdraw the party’s registration.
Karlahi argues that the NDC failed to meet statutory requirements during its registration process, including prequalification criteria, payment obligations and completion of mandatory application forms.
He is seeking orders declaring the party’s registration unconstitutional, removing it from INEC’s register of political parties, and restraining it from participating in electoral activities.
The case adds to growing legal and political pressure surrounding the NDC as Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections, with multiple disputes now testing both party structures and electoral regulations.
