The speculation that the duo of Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso may have entered into alliance to wrest the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in order to defeat incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in next year’s presidential election, keeps gaining traction in the polity
By Udoka Ekeleme, Abuja
There are indications that former presidential contenders, Mr Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso may have concluded plans to run a joint presidential ticket in 2027 to wrest power from incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Obi contested the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Labour Party (LP), while Kwankwaso ran on ticket of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP). Obi scored nearly six million votes while Kwankwaso garnered about two million votes. Both presidential hopefuls have dumped LP and NNPP respectively due to the crisis that rocked the parties, allegedly orchestrated by the ruling party.
Obi and Kwankwaso have since pitched tent with the embattled African Democratic Congress (ADC) where they are hoping to actualize their ambition of ruling the country.
In the recent time, Obi and his political associates have engaged in series of visitations to prominent political figures across geopolitical zones, while Kwankwaso watches in admiration. These visits have been adjudged by pundits as consultations to cement alliance with Kwankwaso who is expected to pair with Obi as his running mate, though the pairing is yet to be confirmed by both parties.
For example, as the political permutations continue, the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed and Obi have said that they are working together politically to “develop” the country.
Briefing journalists after a closed meeting, which was held at the presidential lodge (Ramat House) Bauchi, Peter Obi said he brought stakeholders from the South east region to seek collaboration with Mohammed.
Obi added that the partnership with the Bauchi State governor was aimed at reversing what he described as Nigeria’s current downward trajectory and securing a better future for coming generations.
According to him, the purpose of his visit was to solicit the support and cooperation of Bala Mohammed, the stakeholders of Bauchi and the North east “in our quest to unite this country”.
He said they are working to have a united country to build the future for the children. Obi said that the country cannot continue the way it is today. “We are headed in the wrong direction, and we need to reverse that for everybody.
“That’s why we are asking for purpose to seek the support of the stakeholders of Bauchi in building a new Nigeria. That will be for the benefit of all, building that Nigeria that we used to be, where a child of nobody can be somebody without knowing anybody.
“Nobody goes to the market and says he or she is from this party or that party. Nobody buys bread cheaper because of religion or tribe.
“When kidnappers stop people on the road, they don’t ask for your political party. All they want is ransom. When farmers are chased from their farms, no party is safe.” He added.
Obi argued that agriculture holds greater potential than oil for national revenue, adding that the North’s greatest asset is uncultivated land.
“We can make more money from agriculture than we make from oil. The North can drive this country. We want to invest in the North and ensure farmers return to their farms safely. The invitation is to build a better Nigeria where Nigerians are secured”.
While reacting, Mohammed said that Obi had come “with a torchlight for us, a torchlight that really we want to hold because he’s talking about unifying the country and building the country. We are building bridges and creating a new tomorrow for this country.
“And you know this is what we stand for as a state and as a people. We feel highly honored by this visit by eminent persons from the South. It’s not one state to really single us out for this visit. It’s something that we take with a lot of respect and it is so important to us”.
On Tuesday, April 28, Obi further reiterated his vision of a more united, secure and productive Nigeria after a closed-door meeting he had with the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, in Ibadan during a visit, even as opposition consultations continue to gather pace ahead of future political alignments.
Obi spoke with the media after spending about two hours in a private meeting with Governor Makinde at the Oyo State Secretariat, describing the engagement as part of ongoing consultations focused on Nigeria’s future.
He explained that his visit formed part of wider discussions with key stakeholders on national issues and the need for collaboration across political lines.
In yet another strategic visit ahead of the 2027 presidential election, Obi and some of his political allies mostly of South east extraction met with former President Goodluck Jonathan in his Abuja residence last week.
The South east leaders present included former governor of Enugu State, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo; former governor of Imo State, Achike Udenwa; former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Onyema Ugochukwu; and Senator Victor Umeh.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Obi, who spoke for the South east leaders, said they consulted with the former President over the next general election.
He said, “Jonathan wished that we had a free, fair, credible election, that he cannot support a one-party system, and that nobody can claim to be more of a democrat in this country (in terms of those who have led this country without putting him as number one)”.
Speaking on endorsement, Obi said, “We’re not talking about an endorsement yet. When I become a candidate, I’ll come back for endorsement. He wishes the country well. We are here to consult with him.
“We are now seeing him (Jonathan) in the categories we have come to see former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former President Ibrahim Babangida and others; so that is the category we are seeing now.
“They are fathers now. They are not defecting. They are not involved. But we need to consult them, because, especially someone like him (Jonathan) who served the country very faithfully, focused, and did what is expected in a democracy in this declining situation”.
Recently, there have been unconfirmed reports that former President Obasanjo is at the centre of the alliance between Obi and Kwankwaso. It is rumoured that Obasanjo had met both men at separate meetings where he allegedly admonished them to collaborate to wrest presidential power from Tinubu.
This rumour had a veiled confirmation on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at Ibadan, the Oyo State capital during the opposition parties’ summit. Obasanjo’s presence at the summit, analysts argued, was an indication that he may be solidly behind the pairing of Obi and Kwankwaso for the 2027 presidential election. Their argument is hinged on the fact that Obasanjo is not a member of any political party at the moment.
Another indication of the Obi-Kwankwaso alliance is the coming together of the support groups of the duo, the Obidient Movement and Kwankwasiyya Movement. The Kwankwasiyya Movement and Obidient Movement have deepened talks, framing their engagement as a strategic partnership while dismissing concerns over internal crises within the ADC.
The collaboration became evident in Abuja when the National Coordinator of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Alhaji Habibu Saleh Muhammed, led a delegation to the Obidient Movement headquarters for high-level talks with its National Coordinator, Yunusa Tanko.
Emerging from the meeting, Muhammed struck a deliberate tone, rejecting speculation of a formal merger and instead positioning the collaboration as a coordinated political effort.
Muhammed said, “This is not a merger but a partnership. What we are building is a team of like-minded Nigerians. Once there is unity of purpose, the structure will follow”.
He described the engagement as part of a longer political process driven by shared concerns over Nigeria’s direction, noting that consultations among key actors had been ongoing for years.
“For over four years, efforts have been made to bring together forces committed to real change. What you are seeing now is the crystallization of that process,” he added.
Muhammed also used the moment to caution supporters against inflammatory rhetoric, urging a shift toward issue-based engagement.
“Talk to issues, not personalities. No insults. Let us organise, not disorganise; mobilise, not demobilise. The task ahead requires discipline and focus,” he said.
On his part, Tanko reinforced the idea of a flexible alliance, noting that both movements remained independent but are increasingly aligned in strategy and vision.
“We are not dissolving into one structure. We are collaborating. The objective is clear—building a credible alternative for Nigerians,” he said.
He pointed to the quiet but ongoing engagements between leading political figures associated with both blocs, including Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, describing them as central to the next phase of opposition politics.
“Discussions are ongoing at a higher level. These leaders are working behind the scenes, and in due time, Nigerians will see the direction and the outcome,” Tanko stated.
Both leaders were, however, quick to dismiss suggestions that the lingering leadership crisis within the ADC could undermine broader opposition coordination.
“The ADC situation does not affect this partnership,” Muhammed said bluntly. “Our focus is bigger than any single party issue.”
Tanko echoed the sentiment, describing internal disputes within parties as part of the normal political cycle.
“There will always be challenges within political organisations, but that does not stop the broader movement for change. What matters is that credible leaders are managing the process,” he said.
On the question of a possible unified opposition candidate for 2027, the two coordinators acknowledged ongoing consultations but avoided firm commitments, describing the process as evolving.
“Our principals are committed to doing what is necessary,” Tanko said. “At the right time, decisions will be taken in the best interest of Nigerians.”
The issue of zoning also surfaced during the interaction, with speakers emphasising the need for balance and fairness in any eventual arrangement.
Meanwhile, there are rumours that Obi and Kwankwaso may be leaving the ADC for National Democratic Party (NDC). As at press time, efforts to reach both camps for official confirmation yielded no positive result. However, a credible source said the move was a result of irreconcilable issues which include growing dissatisfaction with the ADC’s internal structure and uncertainties arising from the recent Supreme Court judgment on the party’s leadership dispute.
Since the Supreme Court judgement, some party members have argued that the judgment represented a temporary relief for the party, but analysts said it has only deepened anxiety among coalition leaders ahead of the 2027 polls.
Again, there are also fears that the outcome of the case at the lower court could destabilize the party’s leadership structure at a critical stage in the election cycle.
Notably, competent sources said the crisis, coupled with disagreements with loyalists of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, have forced Obi and his supporters to reconsider their stay in the ADC. It was learnt that Kwankwaso and his Kwankwasiyya followers may be joining Obi into the NDC which has allegedly opened talks with Obi and his supporters.
Supreme Court judgment on the party’s leadership dispute.
Since the Supreme Court judgement, some party members have argued that the judgment represented a temporary relief for the party, but analysts said it has only deepened anxiety among coalition leaders ahead of the 2027 polls.
Again, there are also fears that the outcome of the case at the lower court could destabilize the party’s leadership structure at a critical stage in the election cycle.
Notably, competent sources said the crisis, coupled with disagreements with loyalists of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, have forced Obi and his supporters to reconsider their stay in the ADC. It was learnt that Kwankwaso and his Kwankwasiyya followers may be joining Obi into the NDC which has allegedly opened talks with Obi and his supporters.
