Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the former governor of Kano State, has clarified that his departure from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) with Peter Obi was not due to any conflict with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. He emphasized that political maneuvering is a normal part of democracy and should not be misconstrued as personal enmity.
During an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time program on Monday, Kwankwaso explained that the decision to exit the ADC stemmed from unresolved internal challenges within the party. He noted that these issues could hinder the party’s ability to successfully field candidates in upcoming elections.
“Peter Obi and I left ADC not because we are at odds with Atiku or anyone else. We recognized that the party currently faces three major problems that we believe are very hard to fix in time for candidate nominations,” Kwankwaso stated.
He further expressed uncertainty about whether the ADC would ultimately be able to present candidates for future ballots. Kwankwaso urged Nigerians to view political contests as strategic games rather than personal fights, emphasizing that he holds no grudges against any political figure.
Reflecting on past primary elections, Kwankwaso recalled that he had previously competed alongside Atiku and other politicians without hostility. “In 2015, we had a primary in Lagos. Buhari was first, I was second, Atiku was third, Rochas Okorocha was fourth, and the late Isaiah was fifth. In 2019, Atiku won the primary, and I served as his coordinator for the North. We worked together. Politics is just like a game. I am not fighting anyone, and I do not expect anyone to fight me,” he said.