…Insiders Hint at Senate President Slot for Kwankwaso, Obi Remains Frontrunner for VP
By Abu Adamu
A major political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections deepened on Sunday as former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, formally resigned from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and moved closer to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in what insiders describe as a calculated step in a broader opposition strategy to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Kwankwaso, in a personally signed statement announcing his resignation, said the decision followed “strategic realignment” necessitated by the evolving political landscape.
“I wish to formally announce my resignation from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) with immediate effect,” he declared, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve as the party’s National Leader and its 2023 presidential candidate.
He acknowledged the support of NNPP leadership, including National Chairman Ajuji Ahmed, and praised members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement for their loyalty and commitment, noting that the decision to leave was “not an easy one.”
“Considering the current trajectory of the nation’s political landscape… I have found it necessary to identify with another political platform that offers the best opportunity to effectively change the nation,” Kwankwaso said.
His resignation comes on the heels of an earlier announcement by the Kwankwasiyya Movement directing its members nationwide to register with the ADC, effectively triggering a large-scale political migration that could reshape opposition dynamics.
Kwankwaso is expected to formally register with the ADC at his Kano residence, Gidan Kwankwasiyya, today, cementing his entry into a coalition platform that is rapidly attracting heavyweight political figures.
At the centre of the emerging alliance is former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who insiders say remains the most likely presidential flag bearer of the ADC as coalition talks intensify.
Multiple sources familiar with the negotiations reveal that the unfolding arrangement could see Kwankwaso positioned for the office of Senate President in the event of an opposition victory, an indication of the strategic balancing underway within the alliance.
At the same time, former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has emerged as the leading contender for the vice-presidential slot on the ADC platform.
According to a senior source within the coalition, the final decision on the vice-presidential candidate is expected to rest with the South East College of Leaders within the ADC. However, the source added that “all indications point to Peter Obi having the right of first refusal,” deferring to both his political capital and regional considerations.
The convergence of Kwankwaso, Atiku, and Obi within the ADC framework signals what could become the most formidable opposition coalition since 2015, when a united front unseated an incumbent government.
Kwankwaso’s entry is particularly significant given his entrenched grassroots structure in Kano and the wider North-West, a voting bloc that remains critical to any national electoral victory.
The Kwankwasiyya Movement reiterated that its decision was driven by a commitment to democratic values, good governance, and national development, urging members to actively participate in building the ADC across all levels.
While formal announcements on ticket composition are yet to be made, the outline of a potential Atiku-Obi ticket, with Kwankwaso proposed for a powerful legislative role, is already stirring debate across the political spectrum.
Observers note that with the ruling APC expected to vigorously defend its mandate under Tinubu, the stage is being set for a high-stakes, multi-layered contest in 2027, one that could redefine Nigeria’s political order.