…Obi, Makinde, Dickson Sallah Visit to Kwankwaso Turns Political Rally
By Abu Adamu
Amid a deepening leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC), political undercurrents intensified in Kano on Sunday as chants of support for Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso echoed during Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.
The development came as the ADC formally opened the sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for its wards, local government, and state congresses, as well as its national convention, despite a festering internal power struggle threatening the party’s stability.
In Kano, supporters of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and ex-New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) flagbearer, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, thronged the residence of the latter, chanting and cheering as Obi, alongside Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and former Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson, paid a Sallah visit.
Though Obi described the visit as non-political, the atmosphere bore the trappings of a political rally, with enthusiastic supporters hailing the visiting dignitaries and amplifying speculation about emerging alliances ahead of future contests.
“I am here to felicitate with you on the occasion of Sallah and to pay my respects,” Obi said, adding that the focus should be on rebuilding Kano’s economic strength.
Kwankwaso, in his remarks, welcomed the visitors warmly, noting that the visit reflected unity and goodwill among political leaders during the festive period.
However, the optics of the gathering and the charged reception by supporters have added a new dimension to ongoing realignments within opposition circles, particularly as the ADC grapples with internal divisions.
Earlier, the ADC announced the commencement of sales of nomination forms for its congress and national convention, in what appeared to be a move to push ahead with internal processes despite the leadership dispute.
In a notice signed by its National Organising Secretary, Pa Idigo, the party outlined fees for various positions, ranging from N2,000 for ward-level expression of interest forms to N500,000 for state chairmanship positions.
The party fixed March 27, 2026, as the deadline for submission of forms, with screening scheduled for March 30 and 31.
But the exercise is being overshadowed by a fierce leadership battle that has drawn the attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
A faction led by Nafiu Bala is challenging the legitimacy of the leadership headed by former Senate President David Mark, insisting that he should be recognised as national chairman following the resignation of Ralph Nwosu.
The crisis escalated after the Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal filed by Mark, ruling it procedurally incompetent and directing all parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit before the Federal High Court.
Seizing on the ruling, Bala, through his counsel, wrote to INEC, urging the commission to withdraw recognition from Mark and former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as leaders of the party.
The faction argued that continued recognition of the current leadership would undermine the judicial process.
In a swift counter, lawyers to the Mark-led leadership urged INEC to disregard Bala’s request, maintaining that the existing structure, which emerged from a National Executive Committee meeting monitored by the commission in July 2025, remains valid.
As the legal tussle deepens, the ADC’s internal crisis appears to be unfolding alongside broader political manoeuvres, with the Kano Sallah gathering signalling possible shifts in alliances that could reshape the opposition landscape.