Vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has dismissed the African Democratic Congress as a viable opposition platform ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring that the NDC is the only credible alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
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Kwankwaso spoke at a reception organised in his honour by the national leader of the NDC, Senator Seriake Dickson, in Toru-Orua, Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
He said the political contest had effectively narrowed to a choice between the APC and the NDC, which he described as a God-given platform for Nigerians seeking a change in leadership.
“Now we have, if you like, two parties, the APC, as he said today, and of course this God-given party, the NDC. Now Nigerians are given the choice,” he said.
The former Kano State governor maintained that the NDC had emerged as the party to reckon with, arguing that Nigerians now had an alternative capable of addressing insecurity, economic hardship, poverty, illiteracy and challenges confronting agriculture and other productive sectors.
Kwankwaso, who also presented party flags and certificates of return to NDC candidates in Bayelsa State during the reception, said the party was committed to providing leadership that would prioritise the welfare of ordinary Nigerians, particularly young people, farmers, fishermen and families struggling with the rising cost of living.
He identified insecurity, economic difficulties, agricultural challenges, poverty and illiteracy as some of the major issues that would influence voters’ decisions in the 2027 elections, insisting that the NDC was determined to address them through policies aimed at improving access to education, creating opportunities and supporting productive activities.
On education, Kwankwaso said the party and its candidates had agreed that no Nigerian child should be denied schooling because of poverty or the inability of parents to pay school fees.
He stressed that educational opportunities should be available to children across the country, irrespective of their geographical location or family circumstances.
“Nobody will be excluded because his father cannot pay school fees. We have done it in Kano and my brother, Peter Obi, has done it in his state,” he said.
Kwankwaso maintained that investment in education was critical to tackling poverty and illiteracy, adding that the NDC would support young men and women in acquiring the knowledge and skills needed to improve their lives and contribute to national development.
He also expressed concern over the implementation of the Federal Government’s tax reforms, warning Nigerians to pay attention to the implications of the new tax laws, particularly provisions he claimed would become more consequential after the 2027 general elections.
Kwankwaso said that although the legislation had already been passed by the National Assembly, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu and was being implemented, a more substantial aspect of its impact would emerge after the elections.
According to him, the NDC believes that government policies should protect vulnerable Nigerians and provide the necessary support for those engaged in productive activities, including farmers and fishermen, rather than worsen their economic difficulties.
He also disclosed that discussions had begun with Dickson on the possibility of dredging waterways to improve transportation and connectivity between communities in the Niger Delta and other parts of the country.
Kwankwaso said the proposed initiative would connect towns, villages and states through navigable waterways extending from the area towards the northern part of Nigeria, thereby creating opportunities for transportation, trade and other economic activities.
Turning to the conduct of the 2027 elections, the NDC vice-presidential candidate urged Nigerians, particularly young men and women, to participate actively in the electoral process and ensure that their votes were protected against manipulation.
He warned supporters against casting their ballots and leaving the responsibility of safeguarding the electoral process entirely to security agencies or party officials, insisting that citizens had a collective responsibility to remain vigilant and defend their democratic choices through lawful means.
“Don’t start looking for policemen or anybody wearing a uniform to come and protect your votes. It is our collective responsibility,” he said.
Drawing from his political experience in Kano State, Kwankwaso explained that while political parties would deploy accredited agents to polling units and collation centres in accordance with electoral regulations, ordinary supporters also had a responsibility to monitor developments and ensure that their votes counted.
He said the message to supporters in Kano had always been that, beyond the official agents recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission, every party member should take an interest in protecting the integrity of the electoral process.
Kwankwaso warned Nigerians against voting and returning home to sleep, citing allegations of possible electoral manipulation and insisting that citizens must remain vigilant to prevent their mandate from being undermined.
Earlier, Dickson acknowledged the economic hardship and political difficulties confronting supporters of the NDC, saying many were battling hunger, unemployment, lack of opportunities, intimidation and victimisation because of their political choices.
The former Bayelsa State governor, however, urged party members to remain peaceful and avoid hostility towards political opponents, particularly former associates who had chosen to join other parties.
He maintained that political differences should not destroy longstanding relationships, stressing that those who had left the party or taken a different political direction remained welcome to return whenever they reconsidered their decisions.
“They are still our people; they are still my people. If they see the light and they join us, we will receive them,” Dickson said.
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