That is the big question, as Peter Obi and Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso decamps to the NDC.
Its no longer news that Peter Obi has left the ADC and joined the NDC. He left a week ago, along with Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso. Both were chieftains of ADC.
Peter Obi left ADC citing internal crises and political pressure, raising fresh questions about party stability ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a statement shared on X, Obi said his decision followed a period of reflection shaped by what he called “silent pains” within Nigeria’s political system.
Obi noted that challenges within the ADC played a role in his decision. He pointed to recurring internal disagreements and legal disputes that, in his view, have distracted the party from focusing on national priorities.
In addition, he suggested that political interference and unresolved conflicts were gradually affecting the party’s cohesion, raising concerns about its direction ahead of the 2027 elections.
Despite his departure, Obi was careful to separate his decision from personal relationships within the party. He stated that his exit was not driven by any individual conflict with party leaders, including David Mark or Atiku Abubakar.
He emphasized that he continues to hold them in high regard, framing his decision as one based on structural and systemic concerns rather than personal disagreements.
As it is, fresh facts have emerged as to why he resigned from the ADC. City People gathered that he left because it was clear to him that he would not get the ADC presidential ticket.
It was after he joined the ADC, that he realised that it was going to be difficult to upstage Alhaji Atiku Abubakar from the race. Atiku wants the ADC presidential ticket badly. Peter Obi also wants the same ticket. Atiku feels he is the best candidate for the race. Peter Obi believes he is better than not only Atiku, he believes he is the only presidential candidate that can give Pres. Tinubu a run for his money. Initially, he felt if he brings in Obidient Movement members into ADC, they would be able to sway votes his side at the forthcoming primaries, but he later realised that Atiku is so entrenched in ADC and it would be difficult to defeat him at the primaries.
Atiku has insisted that all the presidential candidates in ADC should go for primaries. But Peter Obi was to realise that if he goes for primaries, using the delegate system, Atiku will defeat him roundly and so he decided to move to a new party where he can authomatically get the ticket for Presidency. So, his new game plan is to pick the ticket of NDC and have Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso run with him. That game-plan appears to be working.
The two leading opposition figures, went to the National Secretariat of the Nigeria Democratic Congress in Abuja on Sunday and this marked a significant shift in the political landscape.
The duo arrived alongside several members of the National Assembly, signaling a coordinated move by key political actors into the NDC.
Sources within the NDC indicate that Obi is being positioned as the party’s presidential candidate, with Kwankwaso as his running mate ahead of the next general election.
Analysts say this development is expected to reshape opposition alliances and could significantly influence the dynamics of Nigeria’s political contest in the coming months.
Peter Obi’s calculation is that both of them being strong candidates can shake Pres. Tinubu at the polls. During the 2023 presidential election, Obi made significant showing. Kwankwaso also did. So Obi thinks if he and Kwankwaso come together they can defeat Tinubu.
His calculation is that he can win the desired votes in the South, whilst Kwankwaso, a strong Northern politician can clear Northern votes. City People gathered that one of the reasons why Peter Obi was left with little or no option but to dump ADC was the overwhelming influence of the Obidient on him, OM is his main backbone.
When Obi quit on Sunday, the Obidient Movement affirmed the next phase of its collective political engagement. According to its Press statement, following the decision of His Excellency, Peter Obi, to disengage from the ADC in pursuit of a more stable, credible, and value driven vehicle for national transformation, and his subsequent registration alongside Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, we are moving forward to consolidate our collective efforts on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).”
“This transition reflects the strategic necessity for national renewal, which requires a united, stable, and functional political platform through which the aspirations of the Nigerian people can be effectively pursued.”
“We call on all members of the Obidient Movement to proceed with registration into the Nigeria Democratic Congress at their respective wards. To support this process, a digital membership platform has been made available to enable seamless registration for Nigerians at home and abroad. Members are encouraged to register via the official portal: https://ndcregister.com/
“This is not merely a political transition, but a continuation of our collective commitment to national transformation.”
Months back, the Obidients had also called on their leader, Peter Obi to leave the ADC and go elsewhere to realise his ambition of being the next President of Nigeria.
On 2nd April, 2026 the Movement acknowledged the growing concerns and widespread reports regarding recent political developments in the political landscape and evolving engagements with current and potential partners.”
“We wish to reassure all supporters and members of the movement across Nigeria and in diaspora that His Excellency, Peter Gregory Obi is currently engaged in extensive, high-level consultation with key stakeholders, political allias and aligned movement. These engagements are focused on determining the most strategic and effective path forward in the best interest of the Nigerian people and our shared mission to build a New Nigeria…These consultations are deliberate, thorough and guided by the overriding objective of securing a future tha works for all Nigerians.
It urged all Obidents to remain calm, patient, and focused and that in due course, Peter Obi will formally address the Obidient Movement and the general public to provide clarity on the current situation and the direction ahead.
Peter Obi did that with his movement to NDC. Before decamping Peter Obi had led Igbo leaders to consult with Jonathan in a closed door meeting in Abuja. That was on April 26, 2026.
The meeting which lasted for about 2 hours was attended by some South East leaders, including former Enugu State governor, Dr. Okwesilize Nwodo, his Imo State counterpart, Chief Achike Udenwa, former MD of NDDC, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, Senator Ben Obi and Victor Umeh, amongst others.
Obi who spoke after the meeting, disclosed that it was in continuation of consultations with former national leaders in the country, regarding his presidential ambition. Obi had earlier visited former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida, among others.”
For months, former governor Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso had intensified moves to secure a joint presidential ticket on the platform of the NDC. The duo had been rallying Northern leaders around a proposed one-term rotation dual to strengthen their chances. The strategy is aimed at consolidating Northern support for a Southern presidency in 2027. They said Obi is being projected to serve a single term, if the arrangement succeeds.
Before now, Kwankwaso’s camp had intensified engagements with traditional rulers and political stakeholders in the North.
They were reportedly urged to support a Southern Presidency to complete 8 years. As the argument goes, the South should be allowed to complete its 8 years since the North completed its 8 years before Tinubu took over.
Explained a stakeholder, what we want is to elect another Southerner as the next President in 2027 and that is why we are canvassing for Obi who luckily has promised a one term. Kwankwaso is working on convincing some Northern leaders to support the proposed arrangements and throw their weight behind Obi.
A committee has been put together to formalise Obi’s one-term promise and make it public. Supporters of the 2 politicians had earlier inaugurated the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement on April 2 to drive the joint ticket ahead of primaries. Kwankwaso is leading the engagements with Northern leaders and positioning himself for future political opportunities. He wants to be President in 2031 after Obi’s one-term.
As far as early January 2026, the Obidient Movement had predicted that Obi will go for the Presidency. According to Dr. Tanko Yunusa, the National Co-ordinator of the Obidient Movement which he describes as an organic, nationawide and value-driven democratic movement committed to good governance, accountability and the rule of law said the Obidient Movement is unequivocally committed to the presidential aspiration of Mr. Peter Obi.
“Our support for Mr. Peter Obi is informed by our firm conviction that among all frontline contenders for the office of President, he stands out in competence, integrity, compassion, vision, discipline, economic expertise, democratic credentials, international credibility and a consistent record of prudent leadership.”
“Let it be stated clearly and without ambiguity: The Obidient Movement is not mobilised to support Mr. Peter Obi as a Vice-Presidential candidate to anyone. Our support is exclusively for his emergence as President of Nigeria.”
“Wherever Mr. Peter Obi acting within the law and guided by conscience, chooses to pursue his presidential mandate, the Obidient Movement will move with him.”
