The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has ramped up efforts to reposition itself ahead of the 2027 general election, reaching out to Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso with an invitation to defect and secure its presidential ticket within a two-week window.
The move was signalled in a post on X on Sunday, where the party stressed urgency as electoral deadlines approach. “All we need right now. Just all we need. Two weeks to the deadline,” it wrote, alongside an image of Obi and Kwankwaso shaking hands, captioned “Nigeria will be OK.” The message has intensified speculation about a possible alliance between the two leading opposition figures.
Obi and Kwankwaso are key figures in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which is currently facing a leadership crisis that could weaken its chances in the 2027 elections. Both men were also part of opposition leaders who met in Ibadan, where discussions focused on presenting a single presidential candidate.
Support for a potential joint ticket has been gaining momentum. Recently, backers of the two politicians launched the “OK Movement,” aimed at mobilising grassroots support for a unified presidential bid. The group has since begun setting up structures at the national, zonal, and state levels, according to its National Publicity Secretary, Justin Ijeh.
The political developments come at a critical time for the ADC. On April 22, the Supreme Court of Nigeria reserved judgment in a leadership dispute involving a faction led by former Senate President David Mark and another led by Nafiu Bala. The ruling is expected to determine control of the party’s structure ahead of the primaries.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has set May 30, 2026, as the deadline for political parties to submit membership registers and nominate candidates, tightening the timeline for coalition building and primary elections.
Opposition parties have criticised the schedule. Groups within the ADC, along with factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Kabiru Turaki and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), have called on INEC to extend the deadline for primaries to the end of July.
They argue that the current timetable places them at a disadvantage, especially as internal party disputes and ongoing alliance talks continue to shape the opposition landscape.
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