Kwankwaso Sets To Join Atiku, Peter Obi in ADC as Kano Governor Defect to APC

As political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections begin to take clearer shape, Nigeria’s political landscape is witnessing a flurry of defections, quiet negotiations, and emerging alliances that could redefine the balance of power.

At the centre of this unfolding drama is former Kano State Governor and leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who is reportedly considering a major political realignment that could see him join forces with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, under the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

This development comes amid significant setbacks for Kwankwaso’s political base, particularly in Kano State, where Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the majority of members of the State House of Assembly are poised to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Sources familiar with the situation disclosed that Governor Yusuf’s defection ceremony is scheduled to take place in Abuja on Monday, with top APC leaders expected in attendance.

According to THISDAY investigations, Kwankwaso has been engaged in discreet talks with the leadership of the ADC, exploring the possibility of moving his political machinery, including loyal members of the influential Kwankwasiyya movement, into the opposition coalition party. The discussions are said to be part of broader efforts by opposition heavyweights to forge a united front capable of challenging the APC’s growing dominance ahead of the 2027 polls.

Political insiders revealed that Kwankwaso is deeply uncomfortable with the mass defection of his allies to the APC, especially Governor Yusuf, whose move is believed to have triggered sharp disagreements within the Kwankwasiyya movement. The former governor reportedly opposed Yusuf’s defection, warning that such a move could weaken the ideological foundation and independence of the movement he painstakingly built over the years.

Despite these internal tensions, Governor Yusuf appears set on his new political path. Sources close to the Kano governor said Vice President Kashim Shettima, APC National Chairman Abdullahi Nentawe Yilwatda, former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, and the APC state chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, are expected to grace the brief defection ceremony. If confirmed, the move would leave the NNPP without a single state under its control, further raising questions about the party’s future relevance.

Meanwhile, the ADC has emerged as a major rallying point for opposition figures following the recent defection of Peter Obi. Obi, who finished third in the 2023 presidential election, formally joined the ADC on Wednesday alongside several supporters, opposition leaders, and lawmakers at both the national and state levels. His entry into the party has been described by ADC leaders as a game-changing moment in Nigeria’s opposition politics.

Alongside Obi in the ADC are other prominent political figures, including Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark, former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and former Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami. Together, they are positioning the ADC as a formidable alternative to the ruling APC.

A chieftain of the ADC, Dr. Ladan Salihu, said Obi’s defection had dramatically altered the opposition landscape. Speaking on ARISE NEWS, Salihu described the move as a “political blockbuster,” arguing that the combined electoral strength of Atiku and Obi from the 2023 elections puts the ADC in a strong position ahead of 2027.

“The declaration of Mr. Peter Obi joining the ADC is a defining moment in our political history,” Salihu said. “If you look at the numbers from the last election, Atiku and Obi together accounted for about 63 percent of the votes. That calculus alone shows that the ADC is now in pole position.”

While opposition forces regroup, the APC continues to consolidate power across the states. On Wednesday, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, further strengthening the ruling party’s grip on the states. Mutfwang announced his decision at a well-attended ceremony at the Government House in Jos, describing his defection as a step toward unifying Plateau State and strengthening its voice at the national level.

“I have decided to accept the membership of the APC,” Mutfwang declared, saying the move followed prayer, consultation, and deep reflection. He emphasized his desire to heal political divisions in the state, noting that long-standing rivalries had hindered development and cohesion.

The governor reaffirmed his loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, pledging support for his administration and re-election bid. He expressed optimism that Plateau State could deliver up to one million votes for Tinubu in the 2027 elections.

Mutfwang’s defection was accompanied by his deputy, members of the State Executive Council, several appointees, and chairmen of the 17 local government councils in the state. APC officials hailed the move as historic, with the state chairman, Rufus Bature, formally presenting the governor with his membership card.

However, the PDP in Plateau State strongly condemned Mutfwang’s decision, describing it as a betrayal of the mandate given to him by the electorate. The party’s state publicity secretary, Choji Felix Dalyop, accused the governor of political opportunism and warned that the defection would be challenged, insisting there were no constitutional grounds for such a move without vacating office.

At the national level, the PDP acknowledged the shifting political terrain but insisted it was not backing down. National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong said the party’s immediate focus was resolving internal legal issues and rebuilding its structures. While he did not rule out alliances, he stressed that any coalition discussions would come later.

As Nigeria inches closer to 2027, the emerging realignments suggest a high-stakes contest ahead. With the APC projecting confidence from its control of 28 states and the opposition banking on unity and public discontent, the next election cycle promises to be one of the most fiercely contested in the country’s democratic history. Whether Kwankwaso’s potential move to the ADC will tilt the scales remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Nigeria’s political chessboard is rapidly being reset.