Kwankwaso Set to Join ADC Wednesday as Defection Talks Intensify

Kwankwaso Set to Join ADC Wednesday as Defection Talks Intensify

Strong indications have emerged that former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, may formally obtain his membership card of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Wednesday, signalling a potential major shift in Nigeria’s opposition landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.

Sources within the ADC leadership disclosed that Kwankwaso is expected to register in his hometown, Kwankwaso, located in Madobi Local Government Area of Kano State. The move follows weeks of political consultations and high-level engagements involving the former governor.

Kwankwaso, who was the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the 2023 election, has recently hosted several key figures within the ADC at his Kano residence, fuelling speculation about an imminent defection.

Among those who visited him is Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party Nigeria, as well as Seyi Makinde, whose meeting with Kwankwaso has further intensified talks of a broader opposition coalition.

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Makinde is a leading figure in a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party Nigeria (PDP), aligned with Kabiru Turaki, SAN. The faction remains locked in a prolonged leadership dispute with another camp associated with Nyesom Wike, highlighting deep divisions within the opposition party.

Political observers say the internal crisis within the PDP, alongside challenges in other opposition parties, has accelerated discussions around a possible realignment ahead of 2027, with the ADC increasingly seen as a potential platform for coalition-building.

Meanwhile, the ADC leadership has continued efforts to reposition the party structurally. On Tuesday, the party received the report of its constitution review committee, a move aimed at strengthening internal democracy and enhancing transparency.

The report was received by the party’s National Legal Adviser, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, on behalf of the National Chairman, David Mark. In a statement delivered on his behalf, Mark emphasised that the review process must reflect current political realities and meet the expectations of party members nationwide.

He noted that the review involved wide consultations across states, zones, and key stakeholders, describing the process as inclusive and necessary for building a stronger political platform.

“As we receive this report today, let me assure you that the National Working Committee will carefully study its recommendations with utmost seriousness,” the statement read.

Analysts believe that Kwankwaso’s expected defection, if confirmed, could significantly reshape opposition dynamics, particularly if it aligns with ongoing talks involving other influential political figures seeking a united front against the ruling party in the next general election.

Kwankwaso Set to Join ADC Wednesday as Defection Talks Intensify