Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso may be heading out of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, as fresh realignments gather pace within Nigeria’s opposition ranks ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The two presidential hopefuls and their political blocs are said to be considering a move to the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, following concerns over the leadership crisis and litigation affecting the ADC.
The move could be formalised as early as Monday, May 4, 2026.
Buba Galadima, a close ally of Kwankwaso, told supporters at a unity summit of the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement in Abuja that both leaders would soon announce the platform on which they intend to pursue their 2027 political ambition.
Galadima said the crisis within the ADC had made it necessary for the political blocs around Obi and Kwankwaso to review their options.
Kwankwaso, who joined the ADC on March 30, 2026, had earlier directed his supporters to resign from the party. Obi registered with the ADC on March 7, 2026.
A key associate of Kwankwaso, Ladipo Johnson, also confirmed that a formal declaration for a new political party could take place on Monday or Tuesday.
In Kano, spokesman of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Dr Habibu Sale Mohammed, said Kwankwaso had ceased to be a member of the ADC and would soon be received into the NDC.
He said the decision followed a stakeholders’ meeting in Kano attended by members of the NDC and the Peoples Redemption Party.
According to him, the stakeholders reviewed the litigation affecting the ADC and concluded that the NDC should serve as the new platform.
Mohammed said the decision was taken to avoid any legal uncertainty that could affect the participation of Obi and Kwankwaso in the 2027 presidential election.
He also said the emerging arrangement would see the NDC field Obi as presidential candidate, with Kwankwaso as running mate.
The NDC is expected to hold its national convention in Abuja this week. After the convention, supporters of the Obidient Movement and the Kwankwasiyya Movement are expected to return to the states and local government areas to intensify mobilisation.
Mohammed said key Kwankwasiyya figures had already left the ADC and would follow Kwankwaso to his next political platform.
Meanwhile, the Obidient Movement has urged supporters to remain calm, saying Obi is still consulting with stakeholders, political allies and aligned movements ahead of the 2027 elections.
The group said the consultations are aimed at determining the most effective political path in the interest of Nigerians.
The NDC has, however, taken a cautious public position on the possible defection.
Its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Abdulmumin Ohiare Abdulsalam, said the party remains open to politicians across party lines who share its ideology and vision.
He said the NDC would not force any politician to join the party, adding that political actors are free to move to any platform of their choice.
The development comes amid growing tension in the ADC, where leaders are said to be making efforts to persuade Obi and Kwankwaso to remain in the party.
There have also been reports of suspicion and disagreement within the opposition coalition, especially after a recent summit in Ibadan where opposition leaders discussed plans to present a single presidential candidate against President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Some supporters of Obi were reportedly dissatisfied that the summit’s communiqué did not clearly zone the presidency to the South.
Former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has also cautioned opposition supporters against internal attacks, saying excessive social media fights could weaken efforts to build a united front against the ruling party.
Amaechi said supporters of opposition leaders should focus on the larger objective of defeating the All Progressives Congress, APC, rather than attacking one another.
The ADC, for its part, has dismissed claims that it may not participate in the 2027 elections.
Its spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the party remains focused on building itself as a national opposition platform and would field candidates in the next general elections.
He said the ADC has no legal impediment preventing it from taking part in the polls and urged members to ignore speculation aimed at weakening confidence in the party.
The unfolding development points to a fresh phase of opposition realignment as major political actors begin positioning for the 2027 presidential race.
