Kwankwaso may join Atiku, Peter Obi, El-Rufai, plots defection to ADC

Posted by admin Party Politics, Headlines, Latest Politics Sunday, January 4th, 2026

By George Oshogwe Ogbolu

As preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum, former Kano State Governor and national leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is weighing the option of joining forces with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Despite the ruling APC projecting confidence with 28 governors currently in its fold, opposition figures are said to be quietly rebuilding, banking on public discontent to reset the balance of power.

Peter Obi formally defected to the ADC on Wednesday, alongside his supporters, opposition leaders, and some National Assembly and State Assembly lawmakers.

His move places him in the company of prominent political figures within the ADC, including David Mark, Aminu Tambuwal, Emeka Ihedioha, Rauf Aregbesola, Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and Abubakar Malami, among others, in the race to challenge the APC in 2027.

Sources told the aforementioned platform that while Kwankwaso’s political structure in Kano appears to be gravitating towards the APC, the former governor is engaged in quiet negotiations with the ADC, alongside loyal members of the Kwankwasiyya movement.

According to the sources, discussions are ongoing as opposition leaders explore the possibility of forming a united front ahead of the 2027 elections.

Strong indications have also emerged that Yusuf, who governs the only NNPP-controlled state, is set to defect to the APC, a move said to be strongly opposed by Kwankwaso and which has deepened divisions within the Kwankwasiyya movement.

Sources close to the Kano governor disclosed that Vice President Kashim Shettima, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, former Kano governor Abdullahi Ganduje, and the APC state chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, are expected to attend a brief ceremony marking Yusuf’s defection in Abuja.

If talks among Atiku, Obi and Kwankwaso materialise, analysts believe the alliance could significantly reshape Nigeria’s opposition politics and alter the electoral equation ahead of 2027.

Atiku, Obi and Kwankwaso finished second, third and fourth respectively in the 2023 presidential election.

A chieftain of the ADC, Ladan Salihu, said Obi’s defection has altered Nigeria’s opposition landscape and positioned the party as a formidable challenger to the ruling APC.

Meanwhile, the APC further strengthened its dominance as Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang formally defected to the ruling party.

Reacting to the unfolding developments, the Peoples Democratic Party said its immediate focus remains resolving internal leadership issues but acknowledged that opposition parties must work together if they are to defeat the APC in 2027.

NAIJANEWS