As preparations for the 2027 elections gradually gather momentum and following the defection of his Governor, Abba Yusuf, along with most members of the Kano State House of Assembly to the All Progressives Congress (APC), former Kano State Governor and leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Alhaji Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is weighing the option of teaming up with former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate and former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
While his political structure appears to be moving to the APC, Kwankwaso, THISDAY gathered is in talks with the ADC about joining the coalition party along with members of the Kwankwasiyya movement, who are his loyal supporters.
Sources told THISDAY that quiet negotiations are already underway as the politicians explore the possibility of forming a united front ahead of 2027 elections, even as strong indications emerged that the Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, the only NNPP-controlled State is defecting to the APC on Monday.
Governor Yusuf’s planned defection to the APC has reportedly been opposed by Kwankwaso and has sparked sharp disagreement within the Kwankwasiyya movement.
Sources close to the Governor Yusuf disclosed that Vice President, Kashim Shettima; APC National Chairman Yitwalda Nentawe, former governor of the State, Abdullahi Ganduje, along with the state chairman of the party, Abdullahi Abbas, are expected at a brief ceremony on his defection into the ruling party in Abuja.
If the talks between Atiku, Obi and Kwankwaso succeed, it could dramatically reshape opposition politics and alter the country’s political math.
Atiku, Obi and Kwankwaso came second, third and fourth in the 2023 presidential election.
But while the ruling party projects confidence with 28 Governors in its fold currently, an emboldened opposition is quietly rebuilding, betting that public frustration could reset the balance of power.
Obi had on Wednesday defected to ADC with his supporters, opposition leaders and some opposition National Assembly and State Assembly lawmakers.
Obi joins the likes of Atiku, David Mark, Aminu Tambuwal, Emeka Ihedioha, Rauf Aregbesola, Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, Abubakar Malami, among others, in their quest to win the 2027 elections.
A chieftain of the ADC, Dr. Ladan Salihu, on Friday, said Obi joining the ADC has altered Nigeria’s opposition landscape and has positioned the party as a formidable challenger to the ruling APC.
Also on Friday, the APC further tightened its dominance, as Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang formally defected to the ruling party.
These emerged as the PDP on Friday said while its immediate concern was to ensure that all legal issues concerning its leadership are addressed, the opposition must agree to work together to defeat the ruling party.
Chuks Okocha, Yemi Kosoko and Ahmed Sorondinki
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