Former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, is set to defect from the African Democratic Congress to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) next week, according to sources within the Kwankwasiyya movement.
Habibu Mohammed, spokesperson of the Kwankwasiyya movement, told TheCable on Friday night that the decision followed a unanimous endorsement by key stakeholders.
He disclosed that discussions with the NDC are nearly complete, with only minor details left unresolved, adding that Kwankwaso and Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, are expected to formally join the party early next week.
“I believe him, Peter Obi, and some others will be joining the NDC,” Mohammed said.
According to him, representatives from all 44 local government areas in Kano met at Kwankwaso’s residence on Friday afternoon to deliberate on the political direction, eventually reaching a unanimous decision.
“The stakeholders have unanimously given him the go-ahead to move to the NDC,” he said.
Mohammed added that Kwankwaso is currently in Kano and is expected to return to Abuja by Sunday ahead of the planned defection.
The move is linked to ongoing leadership disputes within the ADC. TheCable reports that the Supreme Court recently set aside a controversial status quo ante bellum order in the party’s leadership crisis and referred the matter back to the Federal High Court for determination.
Mohammed said the ruling reinforced concerns about instability within the party.
“If you look at the case referred back to the lower court, it might take time. There could even be another appeal to the Supreme Court. It does not look feasible to stay there,” he said.
“The entire caucus voted unanimously that a better platform, not embedded in a leadership tussle, should be used.”
He noted that while both the NDC and the Peoples Redemption Party were considered, stakeholders ultimately settled for the NDC.
Mohammed further revealed that there are three pending cases against the ADC at the Federal High Court, describing the situation as legally uncertain.
He also cited the approaching deadline for submission of party membership registers to the Independent National Electoral Commission as a key factor influencing the decision.
“Staying in ADC at this stage would amount to waiting for Godot,” he said.
The movement also considered internal disagreements within the ADC, including resistance among key figures to adopting a consensus candidate.
Since the All Opposition Political Party Leaders summit held in Ibadan, Oyo State, late last month, Peter Obi has reportedly stayed away from subsequent ADC meetings, expressing dissatisfaction over the failure to address zoning during the gathering.
Obi has consistently advocated for zoning of the presidential ticket, arguing that neglecting issues of equity and power rotation undermines trust within the coalition.
In April, supporters of both leaders launched the “OK Movement” to mobilise backing for a potential joint ticket ahead of future elections. Leaders of the movement told TheCable that both Obi and Kwankwaso endorsed the initiative.
Source: TheCable
