The Kwankwasiyya movement has announced that former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, will defect from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) next week.
It is a major change in the opposition political scene on the eve of the 2027 elections.
The decision was reached after stakeholders unanimously approved the move, spokesman of the movement, Habibu Mohammed, said.
He said representatives of all 44 local government areas in Kano met at Kwankwaso’s residence and agreed on the move.
“He has been given the green light by the stakeholders to go to the NDC.
Mohammed added that former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, is also expected to join the NDC together with Kwankwaso.
I believe him, Peter Obi and some others will be joining the NDC,” he said.
He said discussions with the NDC were about 90 per cent complete, with only minor issues left to be resolved.
The decision was influenced largely by the leadership crisis that still lingers within the ADC, the spokesperson said.
He cited the recent Supreme Court judgement, which sent the matter back to the Federal High Court, as an example of ongoing uncertainty.
“It doesn’t look feasible to stay there… the entire caucus voted unanimously that a better platform, not embedded in a leadership tussle, should be used,” he told The Cable.
Mohammed also cited ongoing court cases and impending deadlines for submission of party membership registers to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as part of the reasons for the decision.
He cautioned that staying in the ADC could put the movement’s political plans at risk.
He said the movement had considered both the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and the NDC before settling for the latter.
He said the move was also influenced by internal disagreements within the ADC, including issues around consensus candidacy.
Obi has not attended ADC meetings since the summit in Ibadan, the report said.
He was said to be unhappy with the failure to address zoning of the presidential ticket which he considers key to fairness and unity.
