A fresh political crisis is brewing within the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as the party has replaced several candidates earlier submitted by the Kwankwasiyya movement in Kano State, a development that has reportedly sparked threats of defection from the camp of former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
The controversy centres on the implementation of a 60-40 power-sharing agreement between the Kwankwasiyya bloc and the existing NDC structure in Kano.
Party leaders said the replacement of candidates was aimed at correcting what they described as a breach of the arrangement, under which the Kwankwasiyya faction was allocated 60 per cent of elective positions and party offices, while the original NDC structure retained 40 per cent.
In a document signed by the Kano State Chairman of the NDC, Hon. Hussaini Isah Mairiga, the party announced a revised list of candidates for several federal constituencies and state assembly seats.
The document, which was copied to NDC National Leader Senator Seriake Dickson, Kwankwaso and the party’s North-West Zonal Chairman, stated that the adjustments were necessary to align with the terms of the earlier political agreement.
Among those approved under the revised arrangement are 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, further deepening tensions within the Kano chapter of the party.
The development has raised concerns over the future of the alliance between the NDC and the influential Kwankwasiyya movement, with political observers warning that a breakdown in the partnership could seriously alter the party’s electoral prospects in Kano and the wider North-West region ahead of future elections.
