The National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, is delaying his defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) months after engaging with the party leaders due to a lack of assurance that former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, will secure the party’s presidential ticket.
Highly credible sources within the Kwankwasiya Movement, the former Kano governor’s political party, and the ADC told the press that Kwankwaso’s defection was heavily influenced by the deal.
Obi and Kwankwaso are currently considering forming an alliance for a joint ADC presidential ticket in 2027.
According to top lawmakers familiar with the matter, former President Olusegun Obasanjo devised the strategy.
Chronicle NG gathered that a three-man committee set up by the ADC to interface with political bigwigs willing to join the party had met with Kwankwaso through a committee he also put in place.
A principal official of the ADC told our reporters that the two committees met a few days ago in Abuja to finalize Kwankwaso’s defection.
The official stated that no final decision was taken due to unresolved issues at the meeting.
However, he said both parties would reach a “strong conclusion in a week or two.”
“We’re closing in on Kwankwaso, and we will be happy to receive him. Our committee and his met a few days ago, and they will meet next week to take, maybe, a strong decision and reach a strong conclusion. We’re still engaging, though there are some unresolved issues,” he added.
An insider in the Kwankwaso camp also confirmed the meeting but said the former governor might not defect “anytime soon.”
He revealed that numerous northern leaders, including Obasanjo, had warned Kwankwaso against rushing to the ADC.
According to the loyalist, the leaders particularly advised Kwankwaso not to defect until Obi was assured of receiving the presidential ticket.
The source said, “Many things are playing out, and some northern leaders and Obasanjo are advising RMK (Kwankwaso) on his defection. As it is, it seems Kwankwaso is the bargaining strength for Peter Obi to get the presidential ticket in the ADC, and the card must be carefully played.
“Currently, ADC leaders are mounting pressure on RMK to join the party. Of course, he is interested, but we don’t want to play into the hands of some people rooting for Atiku’s presidency who have almost taken over the party.
“The picture we are seeing from outside is that Obi was lured into the party, and we don’t want to fall into that trap. The game ahead is that Obi will participate in the ADC presidential primary, and after losing to Atiku, he will be persuaded to take the VP slot. How far he wants to go on that, we don’t know.”
He mentioned that Obi and Kwankwaso’s camps had met with some key national leaders to galvanize support for the ex-Anambra governor’s presidential ambition.
The NNPP chieftain revealed that without the conclusion of “wider consultations,” the defection might not take place.
“We are committed to seeing the South complete its eight years, which is only possible with Peter Obi’s presidency. People like Baba Ota (Obasanjo) also believe in that, and it is in that line that Kwankwaso can have a chance to contest the 2031 presidential election.
“RMK is still consulting, and until those consultations are concluded, nothing serious will happen. As it stands, Kwankwaso is Obi’s only strong bargaining chip for the ADC presidential ticket. Notwithstanding, politics is dynamic. A day is too long in the political arena,” he added.
According to the insider, both Kwankwaso and the ADC committees met a few days ago and agreed to meet again in the coming week.
“Yes, the two committees met a few days ago in Abuja, and they agreed to meet again. By next week, we should have a position,” he stated.
When reached, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, declined to comment, stating that he knew nothing about the situation.
His response was, “I am not part of any committee speaking with Kwankwaso, so how would I know what you are talking about?”
He did, however, describe him as a powerful political leader.
The NNPP’s spokesperson, Ladipo Johnson, declined to comment on Kwankwaso’s defection.
He said, “I’m not in possession of any useful information on what you’re asking, so I may not be able to comment.”
