The Kaduna State chapter of the National Democratic Congress on Wednesday declared support for a proposed presidential ticket involving Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party said it was determined to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress at both the state and national levels.

The declaration was made during the party’s first expanded joint executive committee meeting with local government and ward chairmen, as well as aspirants, held in Kaduna.

The meeting was attended by governorship, National Assembly, and House of Assembly aspirants, zonal executives, and party chairmen from the 23 local government areas of the state.

Speaking during the gathering, the Kaduna State Chairman of the party, Mordecai Ibrahim, accused the APC-led administration of worsening economic hardship and insecurity in the country since 2015.

“We all know that the APC has dragged Nigeria and Nigerians 50 years backwards since it assumed power in 2015. Nigerians are indeed groaning today under President Bola Tinubu’s administration as the children of Israel groaned under Pharaoh’s slavery,” he said.

Ibrahim stated that the party had already established structures across the 255 wards in Kaduna State and was preparing to officially unveil its state secretariat.

“We may not have been heard, but we have taken time to build our foundation to be solid and deeply rooted underground. Now it is time to announce our presence in the state,” he said.

He disclosed that the party had increased its membership target from 500 to 1,500 members per ward, with the aim of registering at least 1.5 million members in Kaduna State before October 31.

The chairman also directed intending defectors from other political parties to formally resign from their former parties before contesting for elective positions under the NDC platform.

Ibrahim expressed confidence that the party would produce the next governor of Kaduna State and take over power at the centre in 2027.

“With the calibre of aspirants we have gathered in the state, and our presidential candidate, who is now obvious, our destination in NDC is Aso Rock Villa in 2027,” he stated.

One of the governorship aspirants, Ibrahim Abdulkarim, said the meeting was organised to strengthen party structures and prepare members for future elections.

“What we are doing here today is to see ourselves, have a conversation with our aspirants, and also put before us that the party is supreme and that we have to build the party for us to win the election, not only in Kaduna but everywhere,” he said.

Abdulkarim also claimed that the “Obidient movement” had aligned with the NDC nationally, adding that Peter Obi had secured the party’s presidential ticket while Rabiu Kwankwaso was being considered as his running mate.

“Our principal, Mr Peter Obi, has already secured the ticket for NDC, and hopefully, his running mate will be Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

“At least if you have these two people, every young man and young woman in Nigeria will believe this is exactly the kind of combination we want, people who care about education and are trying to lift young people,” he added.

He further lamented the growing religious division in Kaduna State and called for unity among residents.

“We want Kaduna to return to what it used to be. We believe the diversity God gave Kaduna is meant to give it an edge above other states,” he said.