The Digest:
Plans for former Kano governor Rabiu Kwankwaso to defect from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have stalled due to unresolved questions about the 2027 presidential ticket. Sources indicate Kwankwaso's move is contingent on an alliance that would see Peter Obi become the ADC's presidential candidate. Committees from both camps recently met in Abuja but reached no final agreement. Insiders reveal that northern leaders and former President Olusegun Obasanjo have advised Kwankwaso to delay his defection until there is concrete assurance that Obi will secure the nomination, expressing concerns that the ADC may be influenced by factions supporting Atiku Abubakar.
Key Points:
- The delay highlights the complex, transactional nature of political realignments and coalition-building ahead of the 2027 elections.
- It underscores Peter Obi's perceived bargaining power and the pivotal role his candidacy plays in attracting major political figures.
- The situation reveals deep-seated mutual distrust and strategic caution between potential allies in a fluid opposition landscape.
- It reflects the ongoing influence of elder statesmen and regional powerbrokers in shaping high-stakes defection and alliance decisions.
- The stalemate tests the ADC's capacity to present itself as a credible, unified platform capable of managing competing internal ambitions.
Sources: Punch Nigeria, Premium Times, The Cable
Tags: Rabiu Kwankwaso, Peter Obi, ADC, 2027 Elections,
