The political realignment involving former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has continued to generate debate across Northern Nigeria, as questions grow over how voters in the region will respond to their reported movement into the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
While the development is being described by party leaders as a step toward building a united opposition platform, reactions in the North remain uncertain, with analysts and residents divided on whether the alliance will strengthen or weaken its appeal in the region.
Recall that on Sunday, both Peter Obi, and Kwankwaso, formally joined the NDC in Abuja18
At the party’s national secretariat, NDC national chairman, Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe, presented membership cards to both politicians as they officially aligned with the opposition platform.
Speaking at the event, Kwankwaso said their decision followed wide consultations with NDC stakeholders, noting that they discovered strong ideological alignment.
“We came to discuss with the NDC stakeholders about the party and its ideology, and we realised that our beliefs are similar,” he said.
On his part, Obi said the party was focused on rebuilding Nigeria and restoring confidence in governance.
“This party would form a government that will rebuild Nigeria and ensure Nigerians live without fear,” Obi said.
He also urged party members to avoid internal disputes and litigation, stressing unity within the new platform.
“Let there be no litigation. Party members, please don’t go to court. We are not lawyers. We don’t want to spend our time on litigation,” he added.
Also recall that both political leaders defected from the ADC, citing internal crises as their reason for leaving the party and joining the NDC.
We need safer platform – Kwankwasiyya
The Kwankwasiyya movement has said NDC is considered a safer political platform ahead of the 2027 general elections, citing internal crises and legal battles within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Speaking in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST on Sunday, the movement’s spokesperson, Habeeb Saleh Mohammed, said the decision was necessary to avoid political and legal uncertainties that could affect their chances in the next election.
“Well, I think first to be clear is that, like I told you, there are pending issues in ADC,” he said.
“And remember, we left our political party, NNPP, simply because of that external pressure and the internal issues we have or rather, an induced internal issue.”
Mohammed explained that the same problems that affected their former party (NNPP) are now troubling the ADC, making it difficult for the party to function effectively.
“This is a party that has multiple court cases. Even when there was an opportunity to clear all the issues at once, the case was referred back to the lower court, and it may still go to the Appeal Court and even the Supreme Court.”
According to him, the timeframe before the elections makes it risky to remain in a party entangled in legal disputes.
“Looking at the timeframe, I don’t think ADC will effectively be able to manage that particular case,” he added.
He further revealed that the ADC is also facing other legal threats, including a case seeking its deregistration.
“Outside this one, we have another case where the party itself is being asked to be deleted by INEC. We also have another case questioning the legitimacy of the leadership.”
Because of these uncertainties, Mohammed said, the movement is searching for a more stable political platform.
“For anybody who wants to offer Nigerians an opportunity to have a platform and an alternative political party, there is a need to look for a safer platform, one that does not have internal crisis or legal issues,” he said.
On the possibility of alliances, Mohammed suggested that a joint ticket involving Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso could promote national unity.
“The best ticket you can have is to have Peter Obi and Kwankwaso on the same ticket. It will promote fairness and national unity.”
He added that such an arrangement may not face strong opposition in the North.
“I believe northerners are wise enough to take a rational decision. It is not just about where someone comes from, but about competence,” he said.
Mohammed also stressed that members of the Kwankwasiyya movement remain loyal to their leader and will support any decision he makes.
“Kwankwasiyya members believe in the ability, capacity, and judgment of our national leader. We are always at home with whatever he decides.”
He pointed to Kwankwaso’s past political influence as proof of his leadership.
“We have seen what he did with NNPP when nobody knew about the party. He made it strong, especially in Kano and other states like Bauchi and Taraba,” he said.
He concluded that the movement is focused on choosing a platform that is least likely to face disruption ahead of the elections.
“We are looking for a platform that does not have problems now. If anything comes up later, we will deal with it at that time.”
He also added that the NDC is still in its early stage of formation, arguing that it does not yet have a fully established leadership structure.
“Take NDC for example, it is a brand new party. We do not have even the complete leadership structure; the leadership structure is just evolving now. For somebody to even come and say he has a claim, we are going to be part of maybe the process building that structure,” he said.
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