BREAKING: Obi, Kwankwaso Meet NDC Leaders Behind Closed Doors in Abuja

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, and former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, on Sunday arrived at the secretariat of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Abuja, where they are currently locked in a closed-door meeting with the party’s leadership.

Their arrival signals a fresh twist in ongoing political realignments, as both figures deepen consultations that could culminate in a formal move to the NDC.

Sources within the party disclosed that the meeting, which is being held away from the media, is part of high-level engagements with the NDC leadership led by former Bayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson.

Party insiders said the talks are focused on ironing out final details surrounding a possible defection, with negotiations said to be at an advanced stage.

The development comes amid lingering uncertainty within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where internal disputes and leadership disagreements have unsettled members and slowed coalition efforts.

Obi, who has remained a central figure in opposition politics since the 2023 elections, had earlier distanced himself from the ADC, citing persistent internal crises and divisions that he said were distracting from national priorities.

In a recent post on his X account, Obi maintained that his political decisions were driven by the need to promote unity and purposeful governance, rather than personal grievances.

“My decision is not about how I was treated, but about the recurring crises that undermine our collective goal of nation-building,” he said.

He warned that the current political climate was becoming increasingly toxic, with internal conflicts weakening the capacity of opposition parties to provide credible alternatives.

Kwankwaso’s involvement in the talks is also seen as significant, given the influence of the Kwankwasiyya movement, whose members have reportedly backed a shift to a more stable platform.

The outcome of the ongoing meeting could reshape opposition dynamics, especially as political actors begin early positioning ahead of the 2027 general elections.

As of the time of filing this report, deliberations were still ongoing, with no official statement yet issued by the NDC leadership.