The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has announced plans to align with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The party confirmed the development through its National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday.

Johnson stated that despite the defection of NNPP’s 2023 presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, the party will remain active in upcoming elections.

“The NNPP will continue to contest elections. While we will align with the ADC at the presidential level and possibly in some national contests, we will still field candidates down the ballot,” he said.

The move comes after extensive consultations between Kwankwaso, the Kwankwasiyya movement, and top opposition figures.

Johnson confirmed that Kwankwaso officially resigned from the NNPP and joined the ADC in Kano State on Monday, explaining that the realignment aims to strengthen opposition collaboration and serve Nigerians’ interests.

Kwankwaso, a two-term former governor of Kano State, cited strategic political realignment as the reason for his switch.

“As a committed member of the NNPP, this was not an easy decision. But considering Nigeria’s current political trajectory, I must identify with a platform that offers the best opportunity to effect meaningful change,” he said.

The development follows a widening rift within the NNPP, as Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf recently defected to the APC with several lawmakers and appointees, a move Kwankwaso publicly opposed, calling it a betrayal.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has formally recognised the faction of the Peoples Democratic Party’s National Working Committee backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The development was reflected on INEC’s official website on Monday, which published the updated leadership of the opposition party.

Key figures include Abdulrahman Mohammed as National Chairman and Senator Sam Anyanwu as National Secretary, alongside other elected members of the party’s national leadership.

Abdulrahman and Anyanwu emerged during the PDP National Convention held Sunday night at the velodrome of the National Stadium in Abuja.

Members of the NWC were elected by consensus after the dissolution of the national caretaker committee.

The full list of the re-elected PDP NWC members is as follows:
Abdulrahman Mohammed — National Chairman
Aaron Chukwuemeka — Deputy National Chairman (South)
Yusufu Akirikwen — Deputy National Chairman (North)
Sam Anyanwu — National Secretary
Kolawale Olabisi — Deputy National Secretary
Odeyemi Oladiran — National Treasurer
Lado Marke — Deputy National Treasurer
Eyim Henry — National Financial Secretary
Grema Kyari — Deputy National Financial Secretary
Umar Bature — National Organising Secretary
Efere Augustine — Deputy National Organising Secretary
Jungudo Mohammed — National Publicity Secretary
Egwu Chidiebere — Deputy National Publicity Secretary
Kamaldeen Ajibade — National Legal Adviser
Aloysius Uba — Deputy National Legal Adviser
Osuoha Donatus — National Auditor
Adaba Seri Yatu — Deputy National Auditor
Ogunshe Adedayo — National Women Leader
Hauwa Shinge — Deputy National Women Leader
Ibrahim Aboki — National Youth Leader
Momoh Bashir — Deputy National Youth Leader

Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Citizenship and Leadership, Nasir Ja’oje, has resigned his appointment to contest an elective position in the 2027 general elections.

The move follows President Tinubu’s directive that all political appointees intending to run for office must resign by March 31, 2026.

Ja’oje’s resignation was confirmed in a statement by his media aide, Abba Anwar, made available to DAILY GAZETTE on Sunday.

In his resignation letter, Ja’oje thanked President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve, highlighting the administration’s focus on youth development and the confidence placed in him to contribute to national growth.

He also reaffirmed his readiness to serve the country whenever called upon and praised the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that its policies continue to positively impact Nigerians across age groups.

“By resigning, Ja’oje is set to contest for elective office, and his supporters have expressed confidence in his leadership, pledging their backing for his political ambitions,” the statement added.

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved the immediate dissolution of the State Executive Council.

The move, announced Monday by the Secretary to the State Government, Bukar Tijani, aims to provide space for any council member who wishes to contest elective positions in the upcoming general elections.

Governor Zulum has directed all commissioners to hand over the management of their ministries to the Permanent Secretaries by Friday, April 3, 2026.

In his remarks, Zulum expressed deep appreciation to the outgoing commissioners for their dedication, commitment, and invaluable contributions to the growth and service of the people of Borno State.

Governor Abdullahi Sule has confirmed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State will adopt direct primaries to select candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The announcement came after a marathon meeting with governorship aspirants, lawmakers, and party leaders, where consensus overwhelmingly favored a system that empowers every registered party member to have a say.

Sule described the move as a step toward inclusiveness, transparency, and internal party cohesion, noting that direct primaries give all members a voice in choosing their leaders.

Beyond the primaries, the governor emphasized the need for a shift in power to the Nasarawa West senatorial district, specifically the Keffi axis, arguing that fairness and equity require balancing leadership among the state’s three zones.

He recalled that Nasarawa South governed for over a decade and Nasarawa North currently holds the seat, leaving the West sidelined for more than 20 years.

Highlighting the importance of party unity, Sule assured aspirants that the process would be credible and transparent.

He urged all contestants to respect the outcome, warning that any defection after a fair contest would reflect an inability to accept democratic results.

The governor expressed confidence that the APC would emerge stronger and more united, positioning itself for a successful run in the 2027 elections.

In a development set to energize opposition politics ahead of the 2027 general elections, former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso resigned yesterday from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

This move clears the way for him to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and align with other major opposition figures.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar (PDP), ex-presidential candidate Peter Obi (Labour Party), former Senate President David Mark, and former governors Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) and Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) are already associated with the ADC.

Analysts suggest that this coalition raises hope for a more viable opposition in 2027.

Observers note that the lack of a similar alliance in 2023 contributed to the opposition’s inability to clinch the presidency.

In that election, Atiku (PDP) polled 6,984,520 votes, Obi (Labour Party) 6,101,533 votes, and Kwankwaso (NNPP) 1,496,687 votes, while Bola Ahmed Tinubu (APC) won with 8,794,726 votes.

Analysts contend that had these votes been combined under one platform, the ruling party might have been defeated.

Despite these calculations, the opposition now faces a more challenging landscape. Over the past three years, the ruling APC has consolidated power across Nigeria, sweeping the nucleus of major and minor parties.

For the first time since 1999, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, and Rivers all have APC governors, while resource-rich states like Lagos, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Delta remain under APC control.

Kano, previously resistant due to Kwankwaso’s influence, remained outside APC’s full control. Efforts to woo him failed, and as negotiations lingered, Kwankwaso opted to move independently, creating new concerns for both APC leaders and NNPP stalwarts.

For APC members, including Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Kwankwaso’s defection could mean adjusting governorship ambitions to accommodate the new political entrant.

For Kwankwaso, it entails rebuilding a support base and forming new alliances loyal to his vision.

Political analysts see this as a strategic step capable of energizing opposition politics in Nigeria. Kwankwaso, a former governor, ex-minister, and presidential candidate, now positions Kano as a renewed center of opposition ahead of 2027.
Why Kwankwaso left NNPP

In a statement, Kwankwaso cited “strategic realignment” as the reason for leaving NNPP. He emphasized that the move reflects the broader challenges smaller parties face in translating regional strength into national success.

Though NNPP performed well in Kano and pockets of other regions in 2023, it lacked the organizational depth and nationwide reach of dominant parties like APC and PDP.

His departure leaves NNPP with a leadership vacuum, and party officials are cautiously assessing the situation.

Kwankwaso’s choice to join the ADC reflects a strategic preference for coalition-building rather than political isolation.

The ADC has emerged as a platform uniting fragmented opposition forces, offering credibility and national reach. With figures like Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi on board, ADC becomes a viable vehicle for opposition consolidation.

The move grants Kwankwaso multiple advantages: expanding his political arena, enhancing negotiating power, and positioning him as a key stakeholder in national politics.

Importantly, it allows him to remain relevant in a landscape where alliances often determine electoral outcomes.

According to the Kwankwasiyya Movement’s spokesperson, Mansur Kurugu, the decision prioritizes national interest over personal ambition.

“The focus is the ‘Save Nigeria Project,’ a broad initiative to address systemic national challenges,” he said.

Kurugu stressed that the coalition aims to provide Nigerians a credible alternative to the current administration.

On questions about arrangements with ADC leaders or ambitions for 2027, Kurugu indicated a flexible, collective approach: if calculations call for Kwankwaso to contest the presidency, he will; if it calls for him to serve as vice president, he will do so.

The 2019 experience, when Atiku, Obi, and Kwankwaso worked together in PDP, supports the feasibility of such coordination.

Recent engagements with Atiku Abubakar and other opposition figures signal renewed willingness to set aside past rivalries.

Discussions focused on building a unified front, power-sharing arrangements, and avoiding fragmentation that weakened past opposition efforts.

ADC officials confirmed that Kwankwaso joined without conditions, aiming to build the party and opposition ranks while ensuring a level playing field for all aspirants.

Analyst Kabiru Sufi believes Kwankwaso’s defection could reshape Nigeria’s political trajectory. With alignment alongside Atiku, Obi, and Amaechi, the opposition may mount a competitive challenge to APC, creating a potential two-bloc system.

However, internal party dynamics and candidate calibre will influence how strong Kwankwaso’s impact will be.

Kano as the backbone of Kwankwaso’s influence
Kano remains central to Kwankwaso’s political relevance. With strong grassroots support through the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Kano could provide a crucial electoral advantage.

In 2023, Kwankwaso secured nearly one million votes in the state.

Despite past conflicts with his former political godson, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Kwankwaso could still challenge APC dominance in Kano, depending on whether his supporters follow him to ADC.

Historically, Kano has been a decisive battleground, influencing northern political outcomes. Kwankwaso’s ability to mobilize voters there could tilt national calculations.

His defection mirrors past shifts that reshaped Nigerian politics, such as the 2013 PDP-to-APC defections that contributed to APC’s 2015 victory.

While defections in Nigeria often revolve around survival, coalition-building, and access to winning structures rather than ideology, Kwankwaso’s strategy adds a twist: he aims not just to join a larger party but to transform a smaller one into a national force.

Kwankwaso’s defection accelerates opposition consolidation, intensifies competition, and reshapes regional dynamics.

If managed well, it could make the 2027 elections Nigeria’s most competitive since 2015.

Mismanagement, however, risks fragmenting the opposition and handing APC another easy victory.

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has warned that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) risks losing its political relevance if Peter Obi fails to secure the party’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.

Speaking on the sidelines of the PDP National Convention in Abuja, Fayose described Obi as a “fantastic individual” whose influence was pivotal in the 2023 elections, but argued that the same momentum may not automatically translate into victory in 2027.

“If Obi is not on the ADC ballot, that could mark the end of the party. From current indications, he may not be, and that leaves the door open for Atiku Abubakar to clinch the ticket,” Fayose said.

He further suggested that Obi’s political future remains uncertain within the evolving opposition landscape, dismissing the possibility of a return to the Labour Party and questioning whether he would accept a vice-presidential role.

“Obi is a good man, a fantastic guy, but becoming president at this time is not an easy task,” he added.

Fayose also emphasised that Obi’s 2023 performance was largely driven by personal appeal rather than party structure, noting that his influence could still generate impact regardless of platform.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention is underway in Abuja, drawing over 2,500 delegates from across the country.

The convention, organised by the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led caretaker committee, aims to reposition the party ahead of the 2027 elections despite internal divisions.

Chairman of the convention planning committee, Okezie Ikpeazu, confirmed the participation of delegates nationwide, while assuring that reconciliation efforts would continue to address lingering disputes within the party.