RismadarVoice Reporters
March 29, 2026
National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is set to defect to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), with a formal declaration expected in Kano on Monday.
Credible sources within both the ADC and NNPP confirmed that the former Kano State governor had concluded plans to join the party after months of negotiations.
A senior ADC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the party’s National Chairman, David Mark, and National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, are expected to receive Kwankwaso during the declaration.
It was gathered that Kwankwaso may be joined by the immediate past Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Gwarzo, who recently resigned from office, as confirmed by his media aide, Ibrahim Shuaibu.
Sources revealed that the ADC had been courting Kwankwaso for over three months, with discussions initially stalling over his reported demand for a vice presidential slot ahead of the 2027 general election.
“He had agreed earlier to join but insisted on a commitment for the vice presidential slot, which the party leadership could not guarantee at the time,” an ADC source said.
However, following a private meeting with Aregbesola in Abuja on Thursday, Kwankwaso reportedly dropped the condition and agreed to join the party unconditionally.
“He has agreed to join without preconditions,” the source added.
A senior NNPP figure also confirmed the development, stating that Kwankwaso was expected in Kano on Sunday ahead of the planned declaration.
“The leader will be in Kano, and arrangements have been concluded. You can expect a large turnout. Kwankwaso remains a strong political force in Kano,” the source said.
The move comes amid shifting political alliances ahead of the 2027 elections, including earlier talks of a potential partnership between Kwankwaso and the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
The ADC is also said to be engaging other political actors as part of a broader strategy to build a formidable opposition platform.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has downplayed the significance of Kwankwaso’s planned defection, insisting it poses no threat to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
The party’s National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, said Kwankwaso lacks the political structure to mount a serious challenge.
“He is free to join any party, but he is not a threat to us or to President Tinubu’s second term,” Basiru stated.
Efforts to get official confirmation from the ADC and NNPP spokespersons were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
