The National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has put his planned defection to the African Democratic Congress on hold amid uncertainty over whether former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, would clinch the party’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 election.
Multiple sources within the Kwankwasiya Movement and the ADC said Kwankwaso’s decision to join the party was closely tied to assurances surrounding the proposed presidential arrangement.
It was gathered that discussions around a possible Obi–Kwankwaso alliance on the ADC platform had been ongoing for months, with the understanding that the ticket configuration would shape Kwankwaso’s final decision.
Top political figures familiar with the talks said the alliance was part of a broader strategy reportedly initiated by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Sunday PUNCH learnt that a three-man committee constituted by the ADC to engage political heavyweights had met with a delegation representing Kwankwaso in Abuja.
A senior ADC official confirmed that the meeting took place a few days ago but said it ended without a firm resolution.
According to the source, both sides agreed to reconvene to address outstanding concerns before any final announcement could be made.
“We are engaging Kwankwaso seriously and will be glad to welcome him. Our committee met with his team recently, and we expect another meeting next week to reach a more concrete position. Some issues are still being resolved,” the official said.
However, a source close to Kwankwaso said the former Kano State governor was not in a hurry to leave the NNPP.
The source disclosed that some northern political leaders, alongside Obasanjo, had advised Kwankwaso to tread carefully and avoid making a premature move to the ADC.
According to the insider, the advice was based on concerns that Obi might not eventually emerge as the party’s presidential flag bearer.
The source said Kwankwaso’s political weight was seen as a critical bargaining factor for Obi’s ambition and should be deployed strategically.
“There is pressure on Kwankwaso to join the ADC, and he is interested. But there are fears that some interests backing Atiku’s presidential ambition are gaining influence within the party,” the source said.
He added that there were concerns Obi could be persuaded to contest the ADC primary and later settle for a vice-presidential slot if he lost, a scenario Kwankwaso’s camp was keen to avoid.
The source noted that both Obi’s and Kwankwaso’s teams had held consultations with key national figures to build momentum for a southern presidency in 2027.
According to him, Kwankwaso would not make any major move until broader consultations were concluded.
He stressed that the former governor remained committed to the principle of allowing the South to complete its eight-year tenure, a goal he said could be achieved through Obi’s emergence as president.
Confirming the earlier engagement, the source said both committees had agreed to meet again in the coming week to review progress.
When contacted, the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, said he was not aware of any committee discussions involving Kwankwaso.
He, however, described Kwankwaso as a formidable political figure.
Similarly, the NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, declined comment, saying he had no details on the matter.