The race for the 2027 presidency has taken a strategic turn as former President Olusegun Obasanjo has reportedly initiated an alliance between Peter Obi of the Labour Party and former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The deal, which aims to produce a joint ticket under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has moved beyond informal talks. Sources confirm that a joint committee has been established to finalize the modalities of the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket.
While former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is also reportedly eyeing the ADC platform, insiders suggest Obasanjo is specifically driving the Obi-Kwankwaso pairing, bypassing his former deputy. Obasanjo is said to be leveraging his influence to connect the duo with powerful Northern brokers to ensure the alliance gains nationwide traction.
The committee, reportedly established about a month ago, includes representatives from both camps, tasked with galvanizing grassroots and elite support within ADC to ensure the realization of the joint ticket.
Magaji Ibrahim, SAN, National Legal Adviser of the New Nigeria Peoples Party and a Kwankwasiyya Movement leader, confirmed his membership in the committee and underscored the alliance’s advanced stage. Ibrahim stated that Kwankwaso is only willing to join the ADC on the basis of securing either the presidential or vice-presidential ticket.
“We are in active discussions with ADC leaders about Kwankwaso’s defection, but no formal meeting has yet taken place,” Ibrahim revealed. “One thing is clear: the second position is non-negotiable.”
“There is an ongoing discussion and a committee is in place. We are ready to work together… the central point is to salvage the nation,” Ibrahim stated.
Despite the momentum, the ADC’s national leadership claims it is not officially part of these high-level discussions yet, though they expressed a willingness to welcome Kwankwaso into their fold.
Supporters of Obi are increasingly pushing for the 2027 presidential ticket to be zoned to the South, arguing this is essential to unseat President Tinubu, who is also from the South.
An ADC insider, speaking anonymously, explained:
“Zoning the ticket to the South will enable southern aspirants within the ADC to vie credibly, increasing our chances to defeat Tinubu. This is the most practical path forward.”
However, several regional ADC leaders have warned that demands for regional zoning risk fracturing the coalition and inadvertently favoring Tinubu’s reelection bid.
Kingsley Ogga (ADC Chairmen’s Forum Chairman and Kogi State Chairman), Kennedy Odion (Edo State Chairman), and Arabi Mustapha (Adamawa State Chairman) all cautioned against parochial interests undermining party unity.
