ABUJA, Nigeria — Supporters and political allies of Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso are considering a possible move away from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as uncertainty over the party’s leadership and legal status complicates opposition calculations ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The discussions centre on whether the emerging Obi-Kwankwaso bloc, increasingly referred to by supporters as the “OK Movement,” should remain within the ADC or seek another political vehicle, including the Peoples Redemption Party or the Nigeria Democratic Congress.
PRNigeria reported that loyalists of the two former presidential candidates have intensified pressure for a shift because of concerns over unresolved litigation and internal party control.
The movement comes amid wider efforts by opposition figures to avoid the kind of last-minute party disputes that have disrupted candidate selection and campaign planning in previous election cycles.
Kwankwasiyya Official Says NDC Talks Have Advanced
Habibu Mohammed, a spokesman for the Kwankwasiyya movement, told TheCable that Kwankwaso and Obi were expected to join the NDC next week, though no formal defection by either politician had been announced as of Saturday, May 2, 2026.
“I believe him [Kwankwaso], Peter Obi, and some others will be joining the NDC,” Mohammed was quoted as saying.
Mohammed said stakeholders from the 44 local government areas of Kano State met at Kwankwaso’s residence and gave him approval to proceed with the move.
He also said talks with the NDC were at an advanced stage, with only minor issues left unresolved.
TheCable also reported that Kwankwaso was expected back in Abuja after meetings in Kano, where he had held consultations with members of his political structure.
ADC Dispute Raises Concerns
The latest manoeuvres follow a Supreme Court ruling connected to the ADC leadership dispute.
According to PRNigeria, the court recognised the David Mark faction but directed parties to return to the Federal High Court for continuation of substantive proceedings, a development that some opposition figures view as leaving the matter unsettled.
One person familiar with the discussions told PRNigeria that there was concern unresolved litigation could affect nomination timelines and the party’s standing before the 2027 elections.
The uncertainty has also been shaped by perceptions among some stakeholders that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, may have influence within the ADC, a factor some allies of the Obi-Kwankwaso bloc believe could affect future ticket negotiations.
“Atiku has taken control of the ADC. It is no longer a viable platform for the OK project,” a senior strategist within the movement told PRNigeria.
Alternative Platforms Courting the Bloc
The PRP and NDC have emerged as possible destinations for the bloc.
PRNigeria reported that figures within the Obi-Kwankwaso camp were studying both platforms, with the PRP drawing attention after Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, Obi’s 2023 running mate, joined the party.
The NDC, associated with former Bayelsa State governor and senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has also been linked to talks with opposition figures.
Earlier reports about the party offering its ticket to Obi and Kwankwaso were complicated by the NDC’s denial of an unofficial social media account that had circulated claims about the party’s position.
The party said only statements from its recognised platforms and authorised officials should be treated as official.
That denial has not stopped speculation about the NDC’s role in opposition realignment.
TheCable reported separately that supporters of Obi and Kwankwaso were convening a unity summit in Abuja under the theme “One Voice, One Vision: In Unity We Win.”
Coalition Push Ahead of 2027
Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in 2023, and Kwankwaso, who ran under the New Nigeria Peoples Party, both built distinct support bases in the last election.
Their supporters have argued that a joint ticket could merge Obi’s southern and urban appeal with Kwankwaso’s northern political network.
The push for a common platform reflects broader opposition efforts to consolidate early, before party primaries and nomination deadlines begin to shape the 2027 race.
Political insiders cited by PRNigeria said the goal was to build a united front early rather than risk becoming trapped in legal or organisational disputes close to the election.
No formal joint ticket has been announced. Neither Obi nor Kwankwaso has publicly confirmed a final decision on the NDC, PRP or any other platform.
For now, the talks point to a fluid opposition landscape, with legal uncertainty in the ADC and growing coalition pressure driving a new round of negotiations before 2027.
