Former Presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, has formally defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The former minister of defence registered with the ADC and received his membership card at Gidan Kwankwasiyya, Miller Road, Bompai, Kano.
The event was witnessed by chieftains of the ADC and a crowd of supporters, mainly from the Kwankwasiyya Movement.
Among the prominent personalities were former Senate President and ADC National Chairman, David Mark; the party’s National Secretary and former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; and former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi.
Others are former Sokoto State governor, Senator Aminu Tambuwal; former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Senator Dino Melaye; former APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; and former Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha.
Speaking at the event, ADC National Chairman, David Mark described Kwankwaso’s entry as a turning point.
“This is a defining moment for our party and Nigeria’s democracy. It reflects the urgent need for a united opposition capable of providing credible alternatives,” he said.
Kwankwaso, known for his strong grassroots base through the Kwankwasiyya movement, attracted large crowds of supporters who thronged the venue.
In his remarks, Kwankwaso confirmed his membership of the party, declaring, “I am now a bona fide member of the ADC, and together, we will work towards victory in 2027.”
He urged his supporters to join the party, saying, “I call on all our followers to register with the ADC and actively participate in the democratic process.”
Following his registration, Kwankwaso, who served two terms as Kano State governor and has been a mainstay in national politics, posted on his X handle: “New Dawn. We are ADC.”
His defection to the ADC comes a day after he officially announced his resignation from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), under which he contested the presidency in 2023 and came fourth.
Kwankwaso said his decision to leave the NNPP was based on what he described as the “current trajectory of the nation’s political landscape, which calls for strategic realignment.”
“I wish to formally announce my resignation from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) with immediate effect. I seize this opportunity to express my profound gratitude for the honour and privilege of serving as the Party’s National Leader and its Presidential Candidate in the 2023 General Elections.
“As a committed and bona fide member of the party, this was not an easy decision to make. However, considering the current trajectory of the nation’s political landscape, which calls for strategic realignment, I have found it necessary to identify with another political platform that offers the best opportunity to effectively change the nation,” a statement he personally signed on Sunday.
Political alignment
Kwankwaso is the latest among top challengers of President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 election to join the ADC, which the opposition coalition adopted last year as the umbrella platform to wrestle the presidency from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who came second behind Tinubu in the last election, and Peter Obi, who came third, had earlier joined the party.
Before his official defection on Monday, Kwankwaso had held meetings with leading figures in the ADC, including Atiku, Obi, former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola, among others.
Political analysts believe the defection could reshape the opposition’s strength against the ruling APC ahead of future elections.