Obi, Kwankwaso Join NDC, Urge End to Political Litigation Ahead of 2027

Former presidential candidate Peter Obi and ex-Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso have formally joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress, calling on party members and stakeholders to shun internal litigation and focus on national development.

The two opposition figures were received into the party on Sunday in Abuja, in what analysts describe as a significant development in the ongoing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Obi’s formal defection to the NDC came shortly after he announced his resignation from the African Democratic Congress, citing internal crises and recurring legal disputes within opposition parties.

Addressing party leaders and supporters at the event, Obi said their decision to join the NDC was driven by the need to build a stable political platform free from the conflicts that have plagued other parties.

“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 emphasised the importance of shifting attention away from internal political battles toward addressing pressing national challenges such as poverty, insecurity and economic decline.

Obi also used the occasion to appeal to party members and political actors to avoid taking disputes to court, arguing that excessive litigation has weakened opposition parties and distracted leaders from governance issues.

“We want to build a party, not spend our time fighting ourselves in court. Let us focus on the issues affecting ordinary Nigerians,” he stated, while urging the judiciary to help reduce prolonged political cases that stall party development.

The former Labour Party candidate further alleged that persistent crises within opposition parties were being fuelled by external political forces, forcing reform-minded leaders to repeatedly move between platforms in search of stability.

Kwankwaso, in his remarks, said their engagement with the NDC leadership reflected shared priorities, particularly in areas such as education, youth empowerment and inclusive governance.

He highlighted the need for a political platform that prioritises social development and national unity, noting that both leaders were committed to building a system where opportunities are accessible to all Nigerians regardless of background.

The development signals a major shift in Nigeria’s opposition landscape, as Obi and Kwankwaso—two of the most influential figures from the 2023 presidential election—align under a new platform.

Both politicians contested the 2023 election on different tickets, with Obi running under the Labour Party and Kwankwaso under the New Nigeria People’s Party, drawing significant regional and demographic support bases.

Political analysts say their alliance within the NDC could reshape opposition dynamics if it evolves into a broader coalition capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress.

However, experts caution that sustaining unity within the new platform will require careful management of internal interests and avoidance of the same disputes that weakened previous alliances.

Sunday’s event also underscores growing urgency among opposition leaders to consolidate efforts early, amid concerns that fragmentation could once again affect their chances in the 2027 elections.