In an update published by **The Punch**, the Nigerian political landscape has been upended by the official defection of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). The two former presidential candidates received their membership cards in a high-profile ceremony, signaling a consolidated opposition front aimed at the 2027 general elections.
This mass exodus from the ADC and other blocs was described by Senate President Godswill Akpabio as the “death” of the ADC, following the move of at least 18 lawmakers to the new party. The shift follows months of speculation regarding a “third force” alliance between the duo, which now appears to have found a permanent home in the NDC.
The event was verified by **Daily Post**, which reported that “Obi and Kwankwaso’s exit has rocked the ADC to its core,” while **Vanguard** noted that “the NDC is positioning itself as the primary challenger to the ruling APC by absorbing key opposition figures.”
**Echotitbits take:** This is the most significant political realignment since the formation of the APC in 2013. By uniting Obi’s “Obidient” base with Kwankwaso’s “Kwankwasiyya” movement under one banner, the NDC is creating a formidable national structure that could bypass the fragmented nature of previous opposition efforts.
Source: BBC – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0q20xzwppdo, May 5, 2026
Photo credit: BBC
