Obi, Kwankwaso Defect to NDC, Urge Unity Over Litigation Ahead of 2027 Elections

By Patrick Isaac

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi and ex-Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso have joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), calling on members to shun court battles and prioritise Nigeria’s development.

The opposition leaders were formally received into the party on Sunday in Abuja amid cheers from supporters, following political realignments for the 2027 elections.
They received NDC membership cards after a closed-door meeting with party leaders.

Earlier, Obi had resigned from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which he joined last December, citing internal crises and a hostile environment mirroring his Labour Party exit.

Addressing crowds, Obi praised the NDC as a peaceful family to build a united, secure, prosperous Nigeria. Kwankwaso’s work in education and poverty alleviation, adding, “We want a country where a child of nobody can be somebody without knowing anybody.”

Obi pleaded with the current government, noting their separate 2023 presidential runs.
Kwankwaso echoed the unity call, saying consultations confirmed shared goals on education, youth empowerment, security, and peace.

With NDC registration closing May 6, he urged Nigerians, including diaspora members eyeing contests, to register immediately, starting with their group that day. He rallied his New Nigeria People’s Party base and Kwankwasiyya movement to join.

Aishatu Binani, former Adamawa governorship candidate, hailed them as household names with strong youth and women appeal.

In his ADC resignation on X, Obi clarified no personal grudges against leaders like Senator David Mark or Atiku Abubakar, but lamented endless court cases, internal battles, suspicion, and division” distracting from national issues. He described politics as built more on control and exclusion than on service.

The move fuels speculation on opposition mergers to challenge the All Progressives Congress (APC). The Presidency and APC fired back, labeling Obi a political nomad.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, dismissed Obi’s reasons as puerile and self-serving, accusing him of dodging contests against Atiku or Rotimi Amaechi: “Peter Obi is a politician made of jelly… He pursues the easy road.”

APC’s Felix Morka questioned Obi’s party-hopping from APGA, PDP, Labour, to ADC arguing stability demands commitment to one platform for effective leadership.