Former presidential candidate Peter Obi and ex-Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso have formally defected to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), calling for unity and a shift away from political litigation as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.
The duo were received into the party on Sunday in Abuja, in what observers describe as a significant development amid ongoing political realignments within the opposition space.
Obi’s move comes shortly after his resignation from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which he had joined in December. Addressing party leaders and supporters, he said the decision to align with the NDC was informed by the need for a stable and crisis-free political platform.
“We are coming here to be part of a peaceful family that will work hard to build a united, secure, and prosperous Nigeria that works for everyone,” Obi said.
He also commended Kwankwaso’s track record, particularly in areas of education and social development, noting that their shared vision is to create opportunities where merit, rather than connections, determines success.
Both leaders, who contested the 2023 presidential election on different platforms, used the occasion to appeal for a more constructive political environment, urging stakeholders to prioritise national development over prolonged legal battles.
