The recent political realignment involving Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has sparked widespread debate across Northern Nigeria, with mixed reactions emerging over their decision to align with the Nigeria Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Both leaders formally joined the NDC in Abuja, where the party’s national chairman, Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe, presented them with membership cards at the national secretariat.
Speaking at the event, Kwankwaso said their decision followed extensive consultations with stakeholders within the party, adding that they found a strong ideological alignment.
“We came to discuss with the NDC stakeholders about the party and its ideology, and we realised that our beliefs are similar,” he said.
On his part, Obi stated that the party is committed to rebuilding the country and restoring public confidence in governance.
“This party would form a government that will rebuild Nigeria and ensure Nigerians live without fear,” Obi said.
He also urged party members to avoid internal disputes and litigation, emphasizing the importance of unity within the platform.
“Let there be no litigation. Party members, please don’t go to court. We are not lawyers. We don’t want to spend our time on litigation,” he added.
Both politicians had earlier exited the African Democratic Congress, citing internal crises and legal challenges as key reasons for their departure.
Representatives of the Kwankwasiyya movement described the NDC as a more stable platform ahead of the elections. The movement’s spokesperson, Habeeb Saleh Mohammed, noted that ongoing legal disputes within the ADC posed significant risks to electoral participation.
“Well, I think first to be clear is that, like I told you, there are pending issues in ADC,” he said.
“And remember, we left our political party, NNPP, simply because of that external pressure and the internal issues we have or rather, an induced internal issue.”
He added that the legal uncertainties within the ADC could persist through multiple levels of the judiciary, making it difficult for the party to operate effectively within the electoral timeline.
“This is a party that has multiple court cases. Even when there was an opportunity to clear all the issues at once, the case was referred back to the lower court, and it may still go to the Appeal Court and even the Supreme Court.”
“Looking at the timeframe, I don’t think ADC will effectively be able to manage that particular case.”
Mohammed also referenced additional legal challenges, including efforts to deregister the party, as further justification for seeking a more secure political platform.
“For anybody who wants to offer Nigerians an opportunity to have a platform and an alternative political party, there is a need to look for a safer platform, one that does not have internal crisis or legal issues,” he said.
He suggested that a joint ticket between Obi and Kwankwaso could enhance national unity and attract broad support.
“The best ticket you can have is to have Peter Obi and Kwankwaso on the same ticket. It will promote fairness and national unity.”
“I believe northerners are wise enough to take a rational decision. It is not just about where someone comes from, but about competence.”
He further stressed the loyalty of the Kwankwasiyya movement to its leader, stating:
“Kwankwasiyya members believe in the ability, capacity, and judgment of our national leader. We are always at home with whatever he decides.”
Highlighting Kwankwaso’s political influence, he added:
“We have seen what he did with NNPP when nobody knew about the party. He made it strong, especially in Kano and other states like Bauchi and Taraba.”
Mohammed also noted that the NDC is still evolving, with its leadership structure gradually taking shape.
“Take NDC for example, it is a brand new party. We do not have even the complete leadership structure; the leadership structure is just evolving now. For somebody to even come and say he has a claim, we are going to be part of maybe the process building that structure,” he said.
Addressing concerns about potential interference from the ruling All Progressives Congress, Mohammed suggested that time constraints and internal processes within the ruling party could limit such actions.
“Well, like I said, we believe the federal government has made it a duty to ensure that no political party survives,” he said.
“But presently, I think we have to work with what we have. Is the time really not against them now?”
“When you have just less than three or four days to submit the list of registered members, and also do not have enough time to continue to intimidate or create discord in a party, especially when elections are around the corner,” he said.
“I think they are going to be overwhelmed also with their own internal activities now that they are trying to sort out members that will emerge as their flag bearers.”
Meanwhile, public affairs commentator Mahdi Shehu criticized the frequent political shifts by the two leaders, questioning the strength of their strategy.
“Obi and Kwankwaso’s monthly pilgrimage and migration from one unregistered club, up to another association in turmoil, then to another non-existing platform seems to be overrating their popularity,” he said.
He warned that relying on past electoral performance could be misleading given changing political dynamics.
“The votes distribution and sentiments of 2023 have been altered by changing dynamics. They seem to be pushing their luck too far.”
According to him, the ongoing realignments may be aimed at gaining leverage rather than building a formidable opposition.
“They are looking for a bargaining power where their hope is for other opposition blocs to reach out to them,” he said.
He cautioned that such an approach could lead to alliances with the ruling party.
“If care is not taken, one of the groups can easily reach out to APC, negotiate a power-sharing formula and reduce Obi and Kwankwaso into political and democratic lepers,” he warned.
“Harmony in-between the strong opposition leaders is the only winning formula. Anything short of that is called a political gamble.”
“Casino, kalo-kalo, modi and cha-cha.”
Reactions from residents in the North remain divided. Some expressed strong support for Kwankwaso’s leadership and political direction.
“I will continue to follow him wherever he goes from NNPP to ADC and now NDC. He has the interest of the people, especially those at the grassroots, at heart,” said a Kano resident, Lukman Shuaibu.
Others view the proposed alliance as a national project rather than a regional one.
“The Obi and Kwankwaso ticket is not about bringing the North alone. It is about representing every part of the country,” said Naziru Dalhatu.
“In the present condition of the country, even a ticket made up of people who are not as strong as Obi and Kwankwaso could still defeat the current government because of its failure in many sectors.”
“Nigerians are going through very difficult times. Everything has become worse, and people are only interested in removing the current government.”
“I strongly believe that the combination of Obi and Kwankwaso as candidates is the ticket that will defeat the current government and bring a new government in Nigeria.”
“I read in a report that in less than three days, over ten million people registered in the NDC.”
“At the moment, there is no political party as popular as the NDC, where people are rushing to join.”
“In the coming days, you will be surprised to see senators and members of the House of Representatives joining this party.”
“I am confident that the Obi and Kwankwaso ticket will defeat the current government and bring positive change and development to Nigeria.”
However, others remain skeptical about the alliance’s prospects.
“I think the very question ringing in most young minds is what will Obi and Kwankwaso alliance do differently from the incumbent if elected into office?” said a youth from Jigawa, Muhammad Rabiu Musa.
“Because they don’t have a clear blueprint and implementation strategy that will ensure a total overhaul of the current tide of poor governance in the country.”
“It’s crystal clear that they’re after serving their interest rather than that of the poor.”
“In addition, the religious and ethnic lines being preached among the younger and, of course, the aged, particularly in the core northern states, will make it difficult to sell a ticket that may likely bring an Igbo presidency,” he said.
