APC denies plot against NDC’s Kano governorship candidate

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State has challenged the Nigeria Democratic Congress to resolve its internal disputes in court, denying allegations that Governor Abba Yusuf influenced the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) delisting of the party’s 2027 governorship candidates.

The APC said the removal of NDC governorship candidate Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo and his running mate, Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, from INEC’s final list stemmed from the opposition party’s internal crisis.

The party’s position followed allegations by NDC vice-presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who reportedly accused Yusuf of being responsible for the development in a viral video.

In a statement signed by its Kano State Chairman, Umar Haruna Doguwa, the APC described the allegations as “false, baseless” and an attempt to blackmail the ruling party and its governorship candidate.

Doguwa said the legal proceedings originated from a dispute involving members of the NDC and the party itself, insisting that neither the APC, Yusuf nor the state government initiated the case.

He accused Kwankwaso of attempting to shift attention from the challenges confronting the NDC, urging him to provide credible evidence linking the APC or the governor to the proceedings.

The APC chairman also rejected claims that the ruling party had sponsored or influenced the legal action against Gwarzo and his running mate.

“The judiciary is an independent arm of government and neither the APC nor its governorship candidate has the authority to dictate its proceedings or decisions,” Doguwa said.

He maintained that the APC had no interest in preventing opposition candidates from participating in the 2027 general elections, stressing that eligible candidates were entitled to contest in accordance with the law.

Doguwa urged political actors to allow relevant institutions to discharge their constitutional responsibilities without politicising disputes arising from party affairs.

The APC called on the public to disregard allegations linking Yusuf and the party to the NDC’s legal battle, insisting that neither had any direct or indirect involvement in the proceedings or the resulting decision.