Two leading opposition politicians in Nigeria, Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, have both left their former political party to join the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), raising expectations of a possible joint ticket.
The two politicians placed third and fourth in the 2023 presidential election. Before this switch, they worked with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) alongside Atiku Abubakar, who finished second in that election.
Their decision comes only nine months after they joined the ADC. However, internal disputes and legal battles over leadership quickly disrupted that alliance. Obi blamed external interference for the problems.
“The same Nigerian state and its agents that created unnecessary crises and hostility within the Labour Party that forced me to leave now appear to be finding their way into the ADC,” Obi said on Sunday.
He had earlier contested the 2023 election under the Labour Party.
Supporters of Bola Tinubu have rejected claims that the government is behind the divisions within opposition parties.
On Sunday, the NDC officially welcomed Obi, 64, and Kwankwaso, 69, at its national headquarters in Abuja. The party’s national leader, Seriake Dickson, received them.
After the event, both politicians called for unity, better opportunities for young people, and an end to constant conflicts within the opposition.
The presidency downplayed the development and described it as part of normal democratic changes. A spokesperson said the government remains focused on its duties.
“Political alliances will come and go,” the spokesperson said. “But our priority is delivering economic reforms, improving security and ensuring stability for all Nigerians.”
Political analyst Bala Yusuf believes the move could reshape the election.
“If the NDC fields Obi as its presidential candidate and Kwankwaso as vice-president, they will definitely give the ruling APC a run for their money at the polls,” he said.
The party has not yet announced its presidential candidate, an issue that has caused problems for past alliances. Nigeria will hold its next general election in early January, marking the eighth since the end of military rule in 1999.
Meanwhile, Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, has supported the decision. He described the move as bold and necessary due to challenges within the political system.
“As a layman, let’s look at the calculation: Today is the 4th of May. The window closes for submissions and all other processes in the political system on the 10th of May. Now, from the 4th of May to the 10th of May, you have only five days. From Monday the 4th to Friday the 8th.
“The 9th and 10th are weekends. This means you have only five days to adjudicate within the Federal High Court; winning or losing, the other person will take you to the Appeal Court; winning or losing, you then go back to the Supreme Court. Within five days, it is practically impossible.
“So you know it’s a trap for the candidacy of His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi and even the ADC themselves. That is why myself and all other ‘Obidients’ will wholeheartedly support His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi, Engineer Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and others to quickly find an exit point in order to defend our democracy.”
