Nigeria’s opposition landscape lurched toward another seismic shift on Saturday as a senior political ally of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso announced that both leaders would formally declare their defection from the African Democratic Congress to the Nigeria Democratic Congress on Monday — even as the Obidient Movement urged supporters to remain calm, and the NDC carefully kept its options open.
Monday Declaration, Says Galadima
The disclosure was made by Buba Galadima, Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the New Nigeria People’s Party, at a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement in Abuja on Saturday, amid growing uncertainty over the future of opposition coalitions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sources close to Obi and Kwankwaso, as cited by The PUNCH, indicated that both leaders were finalising plans to join the NDC — a newly floated party linked to former Bayelsa State governor Senator Seriake Dickson — and that document-signing with NDC leaders had already begun. “Both Obi, Kwankwaso and their chieftains were on ground between yesterday and this morning signing the relevant documents with Senator Dickson and the NDC leaders,” a source familiar with the discussions said.
The source added that the duo had become wary of a repeat of what it described as a calculated entrapment by Atiku Abubakar loyalists. “We discovered late that Atiku and his loyalists lured our leaders to that opposition party to fulfil only one single mission — Atiku’s presidential ambition,” the source said. “All is now set. Both Obi and Kwankwaso will announce their defection from the ADC on Monday.”
Galadima Rallies the Troops
Addressing the gathering, Galadima moved quickly to put supporters on a war footing ahead of what he predicted would be a storm of negative media and social media attacks following Monday’s announcement.
“As from Monday, when our leaders declare on which platform they will run, I want to tell you that one of two things will happen. First, they will sponsor columnists. Two, they will deploy social media influencers to start attacking our candidates,” he warned, urging supporters with online presence and media access to respond with vigour.
“Don’t call anybody any name until they call our leaders names. Then we will respond with the greatest might of intellect in us. These are people who are living in their comfort zones, and they want to start a war. We will help them add kerosene. We are already lying flat on the floor — are we afraid to fall?” he declared.
Galadima also alleged that the opposition had been systematically weakened by state actors, listing parties including the SDP, PDP, ADC, NDP and PRP as having been “decimated” as part of what he described as an ongoing campaign of political suppression.
Obidients: “Don’t Be Swayed — He Will Speak Soon”
The Obidient Movement, Obi’s passionate grassroots support base, moved to contain anxiety among its ranks with a carefully worded statement on Saturday that neither confirmed nor denied the defection reports.
“The Obidient Movement acknowledges the growing concerns and widespread reports regarding recent political developments and evolving engagements with current and potential partners,” the movement said, adding that Obi was currently engaged in extensive high-level consultations with key stakeholders, political allies, and like-minded groups.
Interim National Coordinator Dr Yunusa Tanko said: “Peter Obi remains fully committed to this mission and will, in due course, formally address the Obidient Movement and the general public to provide clarity on the current situation and the direction ahead. Our strength lies in our unity and focus.”
When pressed for specifics, Tanko was guarded. “Well, I would neither confirm nor deny at the same time until such a pronouncement is made officially. What I want to tell Nigerians is that His Excellency, Peter Obi has continuously been saying that he will be on the ballot to run for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. What I said is clear: I said he will run on a platform. I did not say which platform,” he stated.
NDC Plays It Safe
For its part, the NDC moved to cool expectations, with its Deputy National Publicity Secretary Abdulmumin Abdulsalam issuing a pointed clarification that sought to reframe the story.
“My recent response to an inquiry by a print journalist regarding the possibility of defections of the duo of Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Mr. Peter Gregory Obi dwelt more on the realm of probability rather than certainty,” Abdulsalam said, adding that the party “has not foreclosed nor coerced the defection scenarios.”
Nevertheless, NDC National Leader Senator Seriake Dickson struck a welcoming tone, stating: “This party is open, inclusive, and ready to harness your energy, ideas, and strength. Let me also extend an open invitation to all Nigerian political leaders who may have doubts about the viability, sustainability, and strength of their current political platforms. The NDC is open.”
The ADC Factor
The defection talk follows growing dissatisfaction within ADC ranks after a Supreme Court judgment last Thursday that, while vacating an injunction against David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola’s leadership, stopped short of resolving the substantive leadership dispute — instead returning the matter to the Federal High Court, deepening anxiety among coalition leaders about the party’s stability ahead of 2027.
Also speaking at Saturday’s Abuja summit, activist Aisha Yesufu called for a rise above ethnic and sectional divisions, urging the gathering to prioritise national unity. “The next time they say to you that this is an Igbo, Hausa or Yoruba person, tell them indeed, we are all Nigerians,” she said. “We must unite right now.”
Monday’s expected announcement — if it comes — would mark one of the most significant opposition realignments since the 2023 general election cycle.
