RismadarVoice Reporters, May 2, 2026
Former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has directed his supporters to resign from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), signalling an imminent defection to the National Democratic Coalition (NDC) expected as early as next week.
Sources familiar with the development say the move comes just weeks after Kwankwaso aligned with the ADC, marking a swift political recalibration ahead of what insiders describe as a broader coalition strategy for the next general election cycle.
According to party insiders, Kwankwaso is expected to join forces with former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, who is also reportedly finalising plans to defect to the NDC. Both men are said to be positioning for a joint presidential ticket under the new platform, in what could become a significant realignment within Nigeria’s opposition landscape.
The directive is also expected to affect lawmakers who previously defected from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the ADC alongside Kwankwaso. Multiple sources indicate that these legislators are preparing coordinated resignation announcements, with plans to move en bloc to the NDC.
A similar shift is reportedly under discussion among political figures aligned with Obi who had earlier gravitated toward the ADC, suggesting a wider consolidation effort under a single political vehicle.
Meanwhile, last-minute attempts by some coalition leaders to halt the planned defections are ongoing. However, insiders describe those efforts as unlikely to succeed, noting that Kwankwaso’s political bloc held a late-night meeting with NDC leaders to finalise the terms of their transition.
If confirmed, the development could reshape opposition dynamics and set the stage for a high-stakes electoral contest, as alliances continue to evolve in the run-up to the next presidential race.
At the time of filing this report, neither Kwankwaso nor Obi has issued an official public statement confirming the move.
