…Fmr Dep. Gov Quits APC, Joins ADC; NNPP Follows Suit
…Atiku: I’m Still in the Race, Not Quitting
…APC: 2027 Will Be Tough, But We’ll Win
By Abu Adamu
A wave of high-stakes political realignments sweeping across northern Nigeria is reshaping the battle lines ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) rapidly strengthening its platform as opposition heavyweights seek to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
At the heart of the unfolding realignment is the dramatic defection of former Kano State governor and 2023 presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the ADC, a move widely seen as a strategic pivot with far-reaching implications for northern politics.
Kwankwaso formally registered with the ADC in Kano on Monday at Gidan Kwankwasiyya, in the presence of an array of political heavyweights, including former Senate President David Mark, ex-Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and other prominent figures.
In an earlier statement announcing his resignation from the NNPP, Kwankwaso described his decision as “difficult but necessary,” citing the need for “strategic realignment” in response to the evolving political landscape.
“Considering the current trajectory of the nation’s political landscape, which calls for strategic realignment, I have found it necessary to identify with another political platform that offers the best opportunity to effectively change the nation,” he said.
His defection has triggered a chain reaction within Kano and beyond. Former APC governorship candidate in Kano, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, has also resigned from the ruling party and joined the ADC, signalling a potential political showdown in the state. Gawuna, who lost the 2023 governorship election to Abba Kabiru Yusuf of the NNPP, now aligned with the APC, is believed to be positioning himself for another run, this time with Kwankwaso’s backing.
The development underscores a deepening political recalibration in Kano, a critical northern stronghold, where loyalties are shifting rapidly amid calculations for 2027.
The ADC has openly embraced Kwankwaso’s entry, describing it as a major boost to its growing coalition. In a statement, the party’s spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, said Kwankwaso’s decision reflects a broader national yearning for change.
“His experience in governance, his strong grassroots connection, and his ability to bring people together make him a valuable part of this collective effort to rebuild Nigeria,” Abdullahi stated, adding that the former governor has also mobilised his supporters nationwide to join the ADC.
The NNPP, however, appears to be aligning itself with the unfolding coalition rather than resisting it. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, confirmed that the NNPP is in talks to form an alliance with the ADC for the 2027 presidential election.
Johnson disclosed that the NNPP may forgo fielding a presidential candidate altogether, opting instead to back a joint ticket with the ADC while still contesting down-ballot positions.
“There were a lot of discussions going on. Finally, some of the opposition leaders have come together and decided that it will best serve their purposes and that of Nigerians to come together under one platform,” he said.
The alignment between the NNPP and ADC signals a broader consolidation effort among opposition forces, particularly in the North, where political blocs are seeking to pool influence and resources to mount a formidable challenge to the APC.
Further fuelling the momentum, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has warned of attempts by “anti-democratic forces” to destabilise the ADC and undermine the emerging coalition. In a strongly worded statement, Atiku dismissed rumours that he was stepping away from active politics, describing them as a “coordinated disinformation campaign.”
“This latest falsehood bears all the hallmarks of a deliberate attempt to create confusion and dampen momentum,” the statement read, adding that such narratives are being driven by elements unsettled by the growing consensus to unseat the current administration.
Atiku insisted he remains fully engaged in the political process and urged supporters to remain focused on what he described as a collective effort to “reclaim and rebuild” the country.
The rapid consolidation within the ADC comes as the APC acknowledges the scale of the challenge ahead. The party’s Deputy National Chairman (South), Ben Nwoye, has admitted that the ruling party is bracing for a fierce contest in 2027, particularly from southern contenders and a reinvigorated opposition.
Nwoye specifically highlighted the influence of Peter Obi, noting the significant inroads made by the former Anambra State governor in the 2023 elections.
“If you look at what happened in the South-East, it was the ground zero for the Obidient movement; they practically took everywhere,” he said, referencing Obi’s sweeping victories across several states and his strong national showing.
Now aligned with the ADC, Obi’s presence, alongside Kwankwaso and other political heavyweights, is seen as a potential game-changer in the emerging coalition.
Nwoye, however, maintained that the APC would deploy all available mechanisms within the democratic system to remain competitive.
“Every vote is going to count. We are going to fight through the system and ensure we get as much as possible to win,” he said, adding that the party expects its stiffest challenge to come from the South, where multiple aspirants are already positioning for the presidency.