Obi, Kwankwaso Consult NDC Leadership as ADC Faces Uncertainty

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

Barring any last-minute change, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, and former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, are edging closer to a possible move to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as both leaders engage in high-level consultations with the party’s leadership in Abuja.

Sources within the NDC confirmed on Sunday that the duo is scheduled to meet with the party’s national leadership led by the former Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Seriake Dickson, as part of ongoing discussions that could culminate in a formal defection.

“Peter Obi and Kwankwaso will hold an interactive and consultative meeting with the leadership of the NDC as part of ongoing consultations and discussions,” a source familiar with the talks said.

The development comes against the backdrop of mounting uncertainty within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where internal disputes, legal battles, and leadership disagreements have continued to unsettle party members and stakeholders.

Obi’s latest political moves follow his earlier exit from the Labour Party after the 2023 general elections, where he emerged as a major opposition figure. His departure from the party was linked to internal wrangling and what he described as systemic interference that undermined party cohesion.

He later aligned with broader opposition consultations that saw him gravitate towards the ADC, a platform initially positioned as a rallying point for coalition politics. However, the party soon became embroiled in a protracted leadership crisis, including disputes over zoning arrangements and internal governance.

In a post on his official X account on Sunday, Obi acknowledged the internal challenges within the ADC, stressing that his decision to step away was not driven by personal grievances against party leaders but by broader concerns over the direction of opposition politics.

“My decision to leave the ADC is not because our leaders treated me badly… but because of the recurring crises and divisions that distract from nation-building,” he said.

He described the current political environment as increasingly toxic, marked by internal suspicion and misplaced priorities that detract from addressing pressing national issues.

“We now live in an environment that has become increasingly toxic, where the system that should create opportunities often works against the people,” Obi added, reaffirming his commitment to a politics rooted in service and inclusivity.

Findings indicate that negotiations between the NDC and the two political figures have reached an advanced stage, with only minor details left to be resolved.

The planned move is also tied to consultations within the Kwankwasiyya movement, whose stakeholders had reportedly endorsed a shift to a more stable political platform, citing the lingering crisis within the ADC as a major concern.

If finalised, the anticipated defection of Obi and Kwankwaso is expected to reshape opposition alignments and strengthen the NDC’s push to emerge as a credible national platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.