The internal crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has intensified following reports that former presidential candidates Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso are preparing to exit the party and join the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Sources within the opposition coalition said both politicians are finalising arrangements to formally announce their defection on Monday, after concluding talks with leaders of the NDC, including former Bayelsa governor Seriake Dickson.
According to insiders, the move was triggered by concerns over the rising influence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar within the ADC, which many in the coalition had initially adopted as a common platform for a united presidential bid ahead of the 2027 elections. There are fears that Atiku may dominate the party’s ticket process.
The development comes just days after opposition figures reached a consensus at a summit in Ibadan, Oyo State, where they pledged to present a single presidential candidate in what they called the “Ibadan Declaration,” aimed at unseating the ruling party in 2027.
However, the latest political realignment appears to have unsettled that agreement, with party insiders warning that the unity arrangement may be collapsing before it fully takes shape.
A senior figure in the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Buba Galadima, confirmed that Obi and Kwankwaso would soon unveil their new political platform, noting that preparations for the announcement were already at an advanced stage.
Sources further disclosed that meetings involving both leaders and NDC officials were concluded over the weekend, with final documentation signed ahead of the expected declaration.
One insider claimed the defection was also influenced by fears of internal rivalry within the ADC, suggesting that key actors were trying to avoid a repeat of previous coalition breakdowns.
Political commentator Isaac Fayose, brother of former Ekiti State governor Ayodele Fayose, expressed support for the emerging Obi–Kwankwaso alliance, describing it as a strong alternative political movement capable of reshaping the 2027 contest.
Meanwhile, analysts have warned that the latest wave of defections could further fragment the opposition. A political analyst, Adebayo Abubakar, noted that distrust and competing ambitions among opposition leaders remain major obstacles to forming a stable coalition capable of challenging the ruling party.
He argued that instead of consolidation, recent developments point to deeper divisions, which could weaken the opposition’s overall electoral strength if not urgently addressed.
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