In a major opposition shakeup, Peter Obi, former Labour Party presidential candidate, and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, are reportedly set to exit the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for a new alliance with the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This potential move signals deepening cracks in the opposition coalition and could reshape Nigeria’s political landscape as key stakeholders seek a more stable platform.
Recent developments indicate growing disagreements within the ADC over leadership, strategy, and ticket allocation.
Sources close to the Kwankwasiyya Movement confirm that Kwankwaso has directed loyalists to resign from the ADC in preparation for a switch to the NDC. Obi is expected to follow suit, with both leaders potentially formalizing the move as early as next week.
This potential realignment, aimed at the 2027 General Elections, seeks to consolidate the “Obidient” and “Kwankwasiyya” movements into a single, formidable platform capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The whispers of a merger have recently solidified into what insiders call the O.K. (Obi-Kwankwaso) Movement. Following a series of high-profile meetings in Kano and Abuja, the two leaders appear to have set aside the ideological and regional differences that fragmented the opposition in 2023.
Habibu Mohammed, spokesperson of the Kwankwasiyya movement, while speaking with TheCable revealed that the decision to move to the NDC was sealed after a unanimous endorsement by stakeholders.
Mohammed said discussions with the NDC have reached “about 90 percent”, with only minor issues left to tidy up, adding that both Obi and Kwankwaso will move to the NDC on Monday or Tuesday.
“I believe him, Peter Obi, and some others will be joining the NDC,” Mohammed said.
Mohammed said stakeholders’ representatives from all 44 LGAs in Kano gathered at Kwankwaso’s residence on Friday around 3:30pm to weigh the options — and, in the end, spoke with one voice.
“The stakeholders have unanimously given him the go-ahead to move to the NDC,” he said. Kwankwaso, he added, is currently in Kano and is expected back in Abuja by Sunday ahead of the planned defection.
The development was also confirmed on Saturday by Buba Galadima, Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the NNPP, during a stakeholders’ meeting of the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement held in Abuja.
Galadima urged supporters to brace for what he described as coordinated attacks that may follow Monday’s declaration. He warned that political opponents could deploy both media commentary and online campaigns to discredit the emerging alliance.
“As from Monday, when our leaders declare on which platform they will run, one of two things will happen,” he said. “They will sponsor columnists and deploy social media influencers to attack our candidates.”
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that the development comes as reports emerged that the ADC is tilting towards giving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar its 2027 presidential ticket.
This was said to have reportedly angered Obi who has repeatedly maintained that he would be on the ballot at the 2027 presidential election.
Recall also that since the All Opposition Political Party Leaders summit in Ibadan, Oyo state, late last month, Obi has not attended any subsequent ADC meetings.
It was reported that Obi, a former Anambra governor was displeased that zoning was not debated at the gathering.
Obi, who has consistently demanded zoning of the presidential ticket since he joined the ADC last year, argued that failure to address equity and power rotation weakens the coalition and fuels distrust among stakeholders.
