Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State and national leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party, 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 and the majority of Kano State House of Assembly members defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The aforementioned platform was informed by sources that although Kwankwaso’s Kano political machinery seems to be leaning toward the APC, the former governor and devoted Kwankwasiyya movement members are quietly negotiating with the ADC.
The sources claim that talks about creating a unified front in advance of the 2027 elections are still going on among opposition leaders.
Additionally, there are strong signs that Yusuf, the leader of the only state under NNPP control, would defect to the APC. Kwankwaso is reportedly adamantly opposed to this decision, which has widened rifts within the Kwankwasiyya movement.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, former Kano governor Abdullahi Ganduje, and APC state chairman Abdullahi Abbas are anticipated to attend a brief ceremony commemorating Yusuf’s defection in Abuja, according to sources close to the Kano governor.
Analysts think the combination might drastically change Nigeria’s opposition politics and the political landscape before 2027 if negotiations between Atiku, Obi, and Kwankwaso materialize.
In the 2023 presidential election, Atiku, Obi, and Kwankwaso placed second, third, and fourth, respectively.
Opposition leaders are reportedly quietly rebuilding, relying on public discontent to reset the balance of power, despite the ruling APC exuding confidence with 28 governors currently in its fold.
Along with his supporters, opposition leaders, and a few members of the National Assembly and State Assembly, Peter Obi publicly defected to the ADC on Wednesday.
In the contest to oppose the APC in 2027, he joins renowned ADC politicians such 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 Nigeria’s opposition landscape and made the party a strong rival to the ruling APC.
Caleb Mutfwang, the governor of Plateau State, formally switched to the ruling party, further solidifying the APC’s hegemony.
In response to the events, the Peoples Democratic Party stated that while addressing internal leadership concerns is still its top priority, cooperation across opposition parties is necessary if they are to beat the APC in 2027.
