By Ebiere Kekeboro
Former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, are set to defect from the African Democratic Congress to the Nigeria Democratic Congress next week, following mounting internal crisis within the party.
The development was confirmed by the Kwankwasiyya movement, which said the decision followed a unanimous endorsement by key stakeholders across Kano State.
Spokesperson of the movement, Habibu Mohammed, disclosed that negotiations with the NDC had reached an advanced stage, with only minor issues left unresolved.
“I believe him, Peter Obi, and some others will be joining the NDC,” Mohammed said.
He explained that representatives from all 44 local government areas of Kano State met at Kwankwaso’s residence on Friday to deliberate on the political future of the movement.
According to him, “The stakeholders have unanimously given him the go-ahead to move to the NDC.”
Mohammed added that Kwankwaso, who is currently in Kano, is expected to return to Abuja ahead of the planned defection early next week.
The planned exit, it was gathered, is not unconnected to the lingering leadership crisis rocking the ADC, which has created uncertainty within the party.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court of Nigeria nullified a previous order maintaining the status quo in the ADC leadership dispute and returned the matter to the Federal High Court for determination.
Mohammed said the ruling further compounded fears about the party’s stability.
“If you look at the case referred back to the lower court, it might take time. There could even be another appeal to the supreme court. It does not look feasible to stay there,” he said.
“The entire caucus voted unanimously that a better platform, not embedded in a leadership tussle, should be used.”
He revealed that the movement had also considered the Peoples Redemption Party but eventually settled for the NDC as a more viable platform.
Mohammed noted that at least three cases involving the ADC are currently pending before the Federal High Court, describing the legal situation as “too murky” for the movement to risk its political future.
He further cited the approaching deadline for submission of party membership registers to the Independent National Electoral Commission as a major factor influencing the decision.
“Staying in ADC at this stage would amount to waiting for Godot,” he added.
Findings also showed that internal disagreements, including resistance to adopting a consensus presidential candidate, contributed to the decision.
Since the opposition leaders’ summit held in Ibadan, Oyo State, Obi has reportedly distanced himself from subsequent ADC activities over concerns about the failure to address zoning.
Obi has consistently advocated for the zoning of the presidential ticket, arguing that equity and power rotation are critical to building trust within the coalition.
Meanwhile, in April, supporters of both leaders launched the “OK Movement” to mobilise support for a joint presidential ticket ahead of the next general elections.
Sources within the movement said both Kwankwaso and Obi had given their backing to the initiative.