Obi–Kwankwaso push intensifies in ADC

Efforts by some stakeholders within and outside the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to float a joint presidential ticket of former Anambra State governor Peter Obi and former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 general elections are intensifying, amid growing manoeuvres within the opposition political space.

Although the ADC leadership has sought to play down the agitation, proponents of the proposed ticket have continued to press their case, arguing that an Obi–Kwankwaso combination offers the opposition its strongest chance of unseating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

Multiple sources told Daily Trust that the push cuts across party lines and includes senior opposition politicians, power brokers and some retired military officers. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is widely believed not only to be sympathetic to the idea but also the key promoter of Obi’s ambition and supportive of broader efforts to build a credible opposition coalition.

Obi and Kwankwaso, who were the presidential candidates of the Labour Party (LP) and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) respectively in the 2023 election, had explored the possibility of an alliance before the polls. The talks, however, collapsed amid disagreements over the structure of the ticket and who would emerge as presidential candidate and running mate.

The renewed push comes against the backdrop of the 2023 election, in which both men recorded strong but largely regional performances. Obi polled more than six million votes nationwide, winning in the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos and all five South-East states, while mobilising a youth-driven, urban-based movement that propelled him to third place.

Kwankwaso, on his part, secured a decisive victory in Kano State, reaffirming his dominance of one of Nigeria’s largest voting blocs through his Kwankwasiyya political movement. He finished fourth, behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Obi.

Sources said the logic behind the renewed talks is the belief among opposition figures that a merger of Obi’s South-East and urban support base with Kwankwaso’s North-West stronghold could significantly alter the electoral equation in 2027.

Daily Trust gathered at the weekend that efforts to bring both men together are being quietly encouraged by Obasanjo, who is said to be convinced that the duo represents a more viable alternative to the APC than any standalone candidacy.

While Obi has formally joined the ADC following months of speculation about his political future, Kwankwaso remains in the NNPP. However, the former Kano governor has told loyalists that he is holding consultations with political leaders and will announce his next line of action in due course.

Party members discussing issue outside hierarchy

A senior ADC member familiar with the discussions said that while the Obi–Kwankwaso idea is being widely debated by party members and opposition stakeholders, it has not been formally adopted or discussed within the party’s decision-making organs.

“The issue of pairing Obi with Kwankwaso has been on since the last election,” the source said. “Many leaders believe that if Obi had run with Kwankwaso in 2023, they might have won. They see it as a missed opportunity.

“What I know is that this is being discussed in several opposition quarters, but it has not become an agenda within the ADC as a party. It is more of party members and leaders thinking aloud and weighing which ticket can best remove the APC from power.”

On claims that retired generals are actively driving the push, the source said Obasanjo’s long-standing support for Obi was no secret.

“You are aware that former President Obasanjo is a fan of Obi. He is championing the Obi ticket. Whether he has spoken to other retired generals is possible, but I cannot confirm that,” the source added.

Another party insider suggested that the firmness of Obi’s supporters may be tied to behind-the-scenes assurances.

“For Obi’s supporters to insist on ‘Obi or nothing’, they must have been promised something,” the source said. “What I know is that meetings, discussions and dialogue are ongoing.

“What the ADC wants to avoid is a situation where members go their separate ways after the primaries. That is why there is a strong feeling that the party must agree on a consensus direction before getting to that stage.”

The source added that the ADC’s rising profile has attracted interest from across the opposition spectrum, including factions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“Prominent Nigerians are interested in the ADC. That is why it has become a rallying point. Even the PDP you see today may work with the ADC when the time comes,” the source said.

“You know the Wike group is working with the APC, and as it stands, the Turaki-led leadership is closer to the ADC than the APC. If they cannot get what they want, they will align with the ADC.

“So, those talking about retired generals are not far from the truth. Many leaders within and outside the ADC believe an Obi–Kwankwaso ticket will sell better, especially because Atiku will still be weighed down by zoning arguments and concerns about age.”

Obasanjo still backing Obi – Aide

When contacted, Obasanjo’s media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, denied knowledge of any meeting or directive by the former president to ADC leaders on producing an Obi–Kwankwaso ticket.

“How do I know if they gave a mandate when I am not aware there was a meeting?” Akinyemi said.

He, however, confirmed that Obasanjo continues to support Obi’s presidential ambition, as he did during the 2023 election.

“That one I can confirm, yes. I can confirm his support for Obi’s presidential ambition,” he said.

Obasanjo had publicly endorsed Obi in 2023 through an open letter to young Nigerians, urging them to vote for the former Anambra governor.

“None of the contestants is a saint, but when one compares their character, antecedent, understanding, knowledge, discipline and vitality, Peter Obi has an edge,” Obasanjo wrote at the time.

“One other important point to make about Peter is that he is a needle with thread attached to it from North and South, and he may not get lost.”

Meanwhile, a source close to former military president Ibrahim Babangida told Daily Trust that Babangida has not taken a definite side in the Obi–Kwankwaso debate.

“He only advises and encourages those who want to contest. He hardly takes sides,” the source said. “He has not discussed anything with me or any of his associates on the Obi–Kwankwaso issue.

“He cannot tell anybody not to contest. Even if APC candidates come to him, he will encourage them. So, it is hard to know his choice.”

Kwankwasiyya group pushes joint ticket

Amid the growing permutations ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Kwankwaso Support Group (KSG) has openly thrown its weight behind a joint presidential ticket pairing former Anambra State governor Peter Obi with Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

The group said such an alliance would pose a serious challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and respond to widespread public discontent over insecurity, economic hardship and governance.

Kwankwaso has repeatedly insisted that any merger or coalition must come with a clear offer of either the presidential or vice-presidential slot.

Speaking in Kano on Friday, leader of the KSG, Abba Gwale, said the group’s position reflected the mood among Kwankwaso’s supporters nationwide and the shifting dynamics within the opposition space.

“As Kwankwaso supporters and loyalists, we have proposed and thrown our weight behind a joint presidential ticket, especially with Peter Obi, on any viable platform,” Gwale said. “The current political trajectory has shown where the tide is shifting.”

He said the proposed alliance would combine Obi’s strong support base in the South with Kwankwaso’s influence in the North, creating what he described as a powerful coalition capable of unseating the APC in 2027.

“If the duo gets the mandate in the upcoming election, Nigeria will be a better place. Nigerians are tired of insecurity, hunger and starvation,” he said, adding that the message of hope and change associated with both politicians was resonating with many Nigerians.

Gwale dismissed reports that Kwankwaso had demanded extensive concessions from the APC in exchange for defecting from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), describing such claims as “outrageous”.

According to him, the leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement remains focused on the welfare of ordinary Nigerians and his supporters across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

“Supporters of Kwankwaso cut across every divide, especially among ordinary Nigerians living from hand to mouth,” he said.

He expressed confidence that an Obi–Kwankwaso ticket would harness growing dissatisfaction with the current administration and translate it into electoral momentum as 2027 approaches, insisting that the alliance could usher in what he described as a new era in Nigerian politics.

By Baba Martins (Abuja), Abubakar Akote (Minna) & Peter Moses (Lagos)

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