Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the national leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party and former governor of Kano State, is considering joining forces with former vice president Atiku Abubakar and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the 2027 general elections get closer.
ThisDay reports that the action is being contemplated in light of Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf’s defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress, as well as the majority of Kano State House of Assembly members.
Although Kwankwaso’s Kano political structure seems to be leaning toward the APC, sources told the aforementioned platform that the former governor and devoted Kwankwasiyya movement members are in quiet talks with the ADC.
The sources claim that talks on creating a unified front in advance of the 2027 elections are still in progress.
Additionally, there are strong signs that Yusuf, the leader of the lone state under NNPP control, would join the APC. Kwankwaso is reportedly adamantly opposed to this move, which has widened rifts within the Kwankwasiyya movement.
A brief ceremony commemorating Yusuf’s defection in Abuja is anticipated to be attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, former Kano governor Abdullahi Ganduje, and APC state chairman Abdullahi Abbas, according to sources close to the Kano governor.
Analysts predict that if negotiations between Atiku, Obi, and Kwankwaso take place, the coalition could drastically change Nigeria’s opposition politics and the political landscape before 2027.
Obi, Kwankwaso, and Atiku placed second, third, and fourth, respectively, in the 2023 presidential contest.
Opposition leaders are reportedly quietly rebuilding, relying on public discontent to reset the balance of power, despite the ruling APC projecting confidence with 28 governors in its fold.
On Wednesday, Peter Obi publicly defected to the ADC together with certain members of the National Assembly and State Assembly, opposition leaders, and his followers.
His decision puts him in the running to oppose the APC in 2027 with notable ADC politicians including as David Mark, Aminu Tambuwal, Emeka Ihedioha, Rauf Aregbesola, Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and Abubakar Malami.
According to Ladan Salihu, a prominent member of the ADC, Obi’s defection has changed the opposition landscape in Nigeria and made the party a strong rival to the ruling APC.
In the meantime, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang officially switched to the ruling party, solidifying the APC’s hold on power.
The Peoples Democratic Party responded to the events by stating that while addressing internal leadership issues is still its top priority, cooperation across opposition parties is necessary if they are to beat the APC in 2027.
