Obi and Kwankwaso Set to Dump ADC for New Platform – Galadima

The Nigerian political landscape is bracing for a massive tremor as Buba Galadima, Secretary of the Board of Trustees for the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), revealed that opposition heavyweights Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso are officially parting ways with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The announcement, expected this Monday, marks a high-stakes realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections. Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, Galadima confirmed that the duo is finalizing a move to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), a newly formed party reportedly linked to Senator Seriake Dickson.

Insiders suggest the move is born out of a need for a “clean slate,” free from the internal friction that plagued their time in the ADC. An anonymous source within the camp detailed the frantic preparations:

“Both Obi, Kwankwaso and their chieftains were on ground between yesterday and this morning signing the relevant documents with Senator Dickson and the NDC leaders. We don’t want a repeat of what happened in the ADC to occur again. We discovered late that Atiku and his loyalists lured our leaders to that opposition party to fulfil only one single mission – Atiku’s presidential ambition. All is now set. Both Obi and Kwankwaso will announce their defection from the ADC on Monday.”

Anticipating a fierce backlash from political rivals, Galadima issued a stern warning to supporters. He urged them to prepare for “coordinated attacks” from paid influencers and columnists once the announcement drops.

“As from Monday, when our leaders declare on which platform they will run, I want to tell you that one of two things will happen. And I’m here to guide you on your response to what will happen. First, they will sponsor columnists. Two, they will deploy social media influencers to start attacking our candidates. For all of you who are on social media and those you with the mighty pen, you must be prepared to respond to anything they are going to say. Anything under the sun that they may say about our leaders that we know very well, people of integrity and honour, we must come to them with the ferociousness that is needed of an intelligent man.”

He further advised a “strike back” policy, using a geopolitical analogy to describe their intended strategy:

“For all of you who are on social media and those with the mighty pen, you must be prepared to respond to anything they are going to say. I’m sorry to bring up something that is not on the table, but I’m doing it as an example. If you have been following the US and the Iran war, you will remember that the US and Israel attacked first, and Iran responded. The analogy I’m going to draw here is that don’t call anybody any name until they call our leaders names. Then we will respond with the greatest might of intellect in us. These are people who are living in their comfort zones, and they want to start a war. We will help them add kerosene. We are already lying flat on the floor. Are we afraid to fall? So over to them.”

The mood at the gathering was electric, with several notable figures throwing their weight behind the “Obi-Kwankwaso” (O-K) movement. Isaac Fayose, brother to former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, declared his support despite his non-partisan status.

“I am not a politician and don’t need to join your political party. But let me say that O-K (Obi-Kwankwaso) is okay for me. And I am ready to lead. In the last election in Lagos, I was the returning officer in Ibeju-Lekki. They came with so many things. But at the end of the day, the votes were so much that they couldn’t change the results. This time, I can tell you that we have already won in 28 out of 36 states. These 28 are already O-K. They are ready to vote. So it is up to them to say this time, you can’t steal our votes. And we have to be ready for that because it is easy to vote.”

Fayose also used a colorful culinary analogy to describe the resilience of their voting base in the face of economic hardship:

“Election is always like garri. By the time you put water, come back the next day, the garri will rise. This time, our garri will not swell up. As they are putting water, we will be drinking it like that. We have to be strong in a country where we have N70,000 as minimum wage.”

Human rights activist Aisha Yesufu closed the event with a powerful appeal for unity, urging Nigerians to look past ethnic divides as the new coalition takes shape.

“It is time for us to become a nation that is working. The next time they say to you that this is an Igbo, Hausa or Yoruba person, tell them indeed, we are all Nigerians. Today, I will say to you all that the education and voices we have are not for us alone. They are for millions of others who didn’t have the opportunities that we have. If not, at the end of the day, we will be asked questions. We must unite right now. When they tell you about the generational hatred, ask them, where did it lead you to? Where has it also led Nigeria? We are brothers and sisters. We must not forget that.”