The Kwankwasiyya Movement has dismissed reports that its leader, Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, threatened to leave the National Democratic Congress (NDC) over the replacement of candidates.

Speaking to The Nation on Monday, the Movement’s spokesman, Habibu Sale Mohammed, described the reports as “mere rumours.”

Some media reports had claimed that Kwankwasiyya would exit the party if loyalists earlier nominated by the bloc were replaced.

The claims followed the substitution of several candidates submitted by the group, with allegations that the move breached an earlier power-sharing arrangement.

Mohammed said the claims were baseless.

“The Kwankwasiyya Movement, and neither its leader, is complaining,” he stated.

He explained that the party primaries were conducted on May 29 in line with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines, and that the winners were affirmed the same day.

According to him, NDC stakeholders and members had earlier agreed on a consensus model where necessary, adopted candidates accordingly, and submitted the list without internal squabbles.

Mohammed added that Kwankwaso had not communicated any grievance with the party to the Movement, and said the NDC was in the best position to respond to the reports. (Text, excluding headline: The Nation