Prosper Okoye
Rabiu Kwankwaso, a national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, is set to defect to the African Democratic Congress on Monday, according to party sources.
Officials in both parties said Kwankwaso is expected to formally declare for the ADC in Kano, marking a major shift ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 elections.
A senior ADC official, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment publicly, said the party’s national chairman, David Mark, and national secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, would receive the former Kano state governor.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelKwankwaso is also expected to be joined by Aminu Gwarzo, a former deputy governor of Kano state who resigned his position on Friday, according to his aide.
The planned move follows months of talks between Kwankwaso and the ADC, during which he had sought assurances over a potential vice-presidential slot for the 2027 election, party insiders said. Negotiations initially stalled after ADC leaders declined to make such a commitment.
However, discussions resumed after a private meeting between Kwankwaso and Aregbesola in Abuja last week, after which he agreed to join the party without preconditions, an ADC source said.
A member of the NNPP leadership confirmed that Kwankwaso would travel to Kano on Sunday ahead of the announcement.
The defection comes amid shifting alliances within Nigeria’s opposition, including previous talks of a possible joint ticket involving Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, with reported backing from former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
It also follows the recent defection of Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf from the NNPP to the ruling All Progressives Congress, a move that intensified pressure on Kwankwaso’s political base.
The ruling APC dismissed the development, saying it poses no threat to President Bola Tinubu ahead of his expected re-election bid.
“Kwankwaso is free to move to any party, but he is not a threat,” said APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru, citing the former governor’s limited electoral reach.
Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said he recently met with Kwankwaso in Abuja, describing their talks as focused on the state of the nation.
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Kwankwaso’s defection is expected to reshape opposition dynamics, particularly in northern Nigeria, as political groups begin positioning for the next general election cycle.
Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa
