Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and ex-Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso have formally joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress, calling on members to avoid litigation and focus on advancing the nation’s development.
The two opposition heavyweights made the call on Sunday in Abuja during their formal reception into the party, amid ongoing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Obi declared his switch to the NDC shortly after announcing his resignation from the African Democratic Congress, which he joined last December.
Addressing party leaders and supporters, the presidential aspirant said their decision to join the NDC was driven by the need for a peaceful political platform devoid of internal crises.
He said, “First of all, sincerely, I join in thanking the leader of our party. And I assure him that we are coming here to be part of the peaceful family that will work hard to build a united, secure, prosperous Nigeria that will work for everybody.
“Kwankwaso is also a leader who has been at the forefront of education, providing primary care and putting people out of poverty because we want to build a country where a child of nobody can be somebody without knowing anybody. That is what we want to do.
“We are using this occasion to plead with the government of today. You know that I contested the election in 2023 in a different party. Rabiu Kwankwaso contested the same election in a different party.”
Continuing, Obi accused the current government of fuelling persistent crises within opposition parties, leading to endless litigation that forced him and others to abandon their former platforms.
He noted their hope for stability was quickly tested by unresolved disputes in every new party.
“The government of today has ensured that they put up crisis upon crisis, which led to several lawsuits in our party that made us abandon those parties and move to another party, thinking that our situation would abate.
“But what we saw was a carry-over of the same problem from where we came from – similar unresolved crisis, litigations and everything. Today, we have left that place to NDC, where the leader has already assured us that they have no litigation. So, we are pleading with them for the sake of democracy. Please, don’t come here. We want to have peace. We don’t want cases.
“We are equally pleading with the judiciary to please end the cases with parties so we can face the job of building a new Nigeria that is possible and face the job of revival, where our country is deteriorating today. So we want to start building. Please, let there be no litigation. Party members, please don’t go to court.
“We want to build a party. Those of us who are lawyers want you to be good practitioners. We don’t want to spend our time in litigation and fighting ourselves. Let’s spend our time dealing with issues affecting the ordinary Nigerian. This ship is about to sail. Please do everything possible to join,” he urged
In his remarks, Kwankwaso said their engagement with the NDC leadership showed strong alignment in ideology and governance priorities, particularly in education, youth empowerment, and national unity.
He said, “We came here together with our team to consult His Excellency, the leader of this party, on our ideology, blueprint, and all that we believe in, especially my humble self and His Excellency, Peter Obi. And we realised that we are all on the same page, be it education, empowerment of young men and women, security, and of course, a very peaceful, united Nigeria.
“During the discussion, we realised that the NDC is submitting its register, I think on May 6. Now, at this point, I would like to invite all Nigerians, including our brothers and sisters in diaspora, especially those who are interested in contesting elections in this party, to register as soon as possible.
“So, Your Excellencies, now that we have realised that we only have a couple of days to register, we have decided that all of us will register by the grace of God today. And once again, I want all of us who are here, those who believe in us, and who believe in promoting the peace and the progress of this country, to register with the NDC.”
Kwankwaso also used the occasion to rally his political base, including former members of the New Nigeria People’s Party and the Kwankwasiyya movement, to align with the new platform.
The two men received the NDC membership cards amid cheers from supporters, shortly after a closed-door meeting with the party leaders.
Earlier, former Adamawa State governorship candidate, Aishatu Binani, described the duo as influential figures with strong grassroots appeal.
She said, “Our party has officially received very good politicians and renowned national leaders. Your Excellencies, Mr Peter Obi and Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso are household names in this country, especially amongst the youth and women. We are proud of you.
“Incidentally, youth and women are the bedrocks of our party support. The NDC is a symbol of democratic tenets, fairness, equity and justice. That is the reason why it is different from others.”
Welcoming the new members, the National Leader of the NDC, Senator Seriake Dickson, said the entry of Obi and Kwankwaso reinforced the party’s growing national appeal.
“On behalf of the National Working Committee, teeming members of our party and well-meaning Nigerians, I welcome you both to the party.
‘’We were told you are not coming here with the crowd today. But both of you are personifications of the crowd. As you can see, the crowd has followed you here. This party does not know what is called ‘status quo ante bellum.’
“Let me assure you that the two of you are part of the biggest brands in our political history. We trust and believe you. The Nigerian people know what you are bringing on board. There will be enough time for the campaign when we will also unveil the political process of the party,” he stated.
Dickson added that the NDC represents an ideological movement anchored on integrity, transparency, and inclusive governance, with a strong focus on youth and women’s participation.
The defection followed a closed-door meeting earlier on Sunday at Dickson’s residence in Guzape, Abuja, where both leaders finalised their move into the party.
Obi and Kwankwaso arrived at about 5:18 p.m. to chants of “O-K is okay” from supporters under the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement.
Political figures present at the meeting include former Kano APC governorship candidate, Nasiru Gawuna; ex-Adamawa governorship candidate, Binani; former Zamfara senator, Kabir Marafa; and Senator Victor Umeh.
The defection comes amid widening opposition realignments and follows Obi’s recent exit from the African Democratic Congress over internal crises and litigations.
Announcing his exit from ADC earlier, the ex-Anambra governor attributed it to deepening internal crises and what he described as a hostile political environment.
In a statement posted on X on Sunday, he reflected on the “toxic” nature of Nigeria’s political space and the mounting pressures faced by public figures.
The former ADC chieftain clarified that his decision was not driven by personal grievances with key party leaders, including the National Chairman, Senator David Mark, or former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
He said, “Let me state clearly: my decision to leave the ADC is not because our highly respected Chairman, Senator David Mark, treated me badly, nor because my leader and elder brother, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, or any other respected leaders did anything personally wrong to me. I will continue to respect them.”
Obi’s exit marks the latest twist in the evolving opposition landscape, which has been characterised by shifting alliances, internal disputes, and renewed efforts to build a formidable coalition capable of challenging the ruling party in 2027.
Continuing, Obi lamented that his decision was necessitated by recurring internal conflicts and external pressures, which he said were beginning to mirror the challenges he previously encountered in the Labour Party.
He pointed to persistent court cases, internal divisions, and an atmosphere of suspicion within the ADC, warning that such distractions were diverting attention from critical national issues.
“The same Nigerian state and its agents that created unnecessary crises and hostility within the Labour Party that forced me to leave now appear to be finding their way into the ADC, with endless court cases, internal battles, suspicion, and division, instead of focusing on deeper national problems and playing politics built more on control and exclusion than on service and nation-building.
“Even within spaces where one labours sincerely, one is sometimes treated like an outsider in one’s own home. You and your team become easy targets for every failure, frustration, or misunderstanding, as though honest contribution has become a favour being tolerated rather than appreciated.
“And when you choose to leave so that those you are leaving can have peace, and you step out into the cold, you are still maligned, and your character is questioned. Despite all your efforts to continue working for a better Nigeria and engaging people with sincerity and goodwill, those who do not wish you well continue to attack your character,” he stated.
The development has heightened speculation over the future of opposition coalitions, with multiple blocs exploring the possibility of merging forces to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress in the next general election.
Obi’s supporters under the aegis of Obidient Movement Worldwide have, however, reaffirmed their support for their patron, insisting that attempts to weaken his political influence have instead strengthened his grassroots appeal ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a post on X on Sunday, the Interim National Coordinator of the movement, Yunusa Tanko, said Obi’s appeal continues to grow across the country despite what he described as sustained attempts to frustrate his political ambitions.
Tanko said the movement remains firmly committed to Obi’s political future, noting that recent developments point to expanding grassroots mobilisation in his favour.
According to him, new support structures are emerging across different regions, including the “Peter Obi 4 President Movement,” led by Awal Kuka, which he said now has a presence in 19 states in the North.
He stressed that the development reflects sustained public interest in Obi’s political project and dismissed claims that opposition to the former Anambra State governor was weakening his support base.
“We stand with Peter Obi. In all their efforts to stop HE PO from running for the office of President of Nigeria, his popularity keeps increasing,” Tanko said.
He also declared that the movement remains resolute in its message of political reform and national renewal, stating, “Stand with Peter Obi. We are confident in our message of political reform and national renewal. A New Nigeria is Possible.”
Speaking on the development, the Presidency and the ruling All Progressives Congress described Obi as a political nomad.
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, reacting via his X handle to Obi’s announcement, dismissed the reasons given for leaving the party, characterising them as self-serving.
Onanuga urged Nigerians to ignore what he described as “illogical musings” in Obi’s statement, accusing the former governor of avoiding a contest for the party’s ticket against figures like Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi.
He wrote, “We told you so. The political nomad is on the move again. Ignore all those puerile reasons he gave in these illogical musings, a self-serving letter to his mob.”
He further criticised Obi’s political approach, alleging that he avoids difficult contests.
“Peter Obi is a politician made of jelly, an opportunistic fellow. He can’t fight Atiku or Amaechi for the ticket of ADC. He pursues the easy road, which will only lead him to doom, like in 2023.
“He always blames the government without doing a soul-searching of himself. Welcome, Peter, to the 2027 race,” he added.
The APC, on the other hand, accused the former presidential candidate of frequently changing party platforms instead of contributing to long-term party development.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, made the remarks in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday, where he questioned Obi’s pattern of political affiliations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Morka referenced Obi’s past associations with several political parties, including the All Progressives Grand Alliance, the Peoples Democratic Party, the Labour Party and the ADC, suggesting a recurring trend of movement across platforms.
He argued that political stability requires sustained commitment to party structures, adding that constant movement undermines efforts at internal party consolidation.
According to him, effective political leadership is built through consistent participation and development within a single platform rather than repeated transitions.
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