In a major political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is on the brink of losing a significant portion of its National Assembly members, particularly those who recently joined from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the South-East zone. This follows reports of the imminent defection of prominent opposition figures, including Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
According to sources familiar with the developments, Senator Victor Umeh is expected to lead most of the South-East lawmakers currently aligned with the ADC into the NDC. Meanwhile, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso will coordinate the movement of lawmakers and key figures who had defected to the ADC from the NNPP.
Additionally, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, the 2023 Kano APC governorship candidate who recently joined the ADC, is reportedly set to move to the NDC alongside former Kano Deputy Governor Aminu Gwarzo. This development further weakens the ADC’s structure in key northern strongholds.
Background and Context
The ADC has been at the center of opposition coalition talks in recent months, attracting heavyweights like Peter Obi (former Labour Party presidential candidate) and Rabiu Kwankwaso (NNPP leader). However, internal crises, including leadership disputes, legal challenges, and tight deadlines set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), have triggered fresh realignments.
Stakeholder meetings and reports indicate that Obi and Kwankwaso have secured significant endorsements to move to the NDC, with plans for a formal declaration possibly as early as this week. The arrangement is said to potentially feature an Obi-Kwankwaso ticket for the 2027 presidential election.
Kwankwasiyya supporters and Obidient movements are expected to follow their leaders en masse. Party insiders suggest the ADC would require “a miracle” to survive the impending exodus without major internal reforms.
