The Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Buba Galadima, on Saturday hinted at an imminent political realignment, disclosing that key opposition figures, including former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and his Kano State counterpart, Rabiu Kwankwaso, will announce a new political platform on Monday.
Galadima made the disclosure at a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement in Abuja, amid growing uncertainty over the future of opposition coalitions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Although he did not name the platform, *The PUNCH* gathered from sources close to the former governors that both leaders are concluding arrangements to join a newly floated political party, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), reportedly linked to the former Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Seriake Dickson.
A source in the camp of the opposition leaders, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the development.
He said, “Both Obi and Kwankwaso, along with their chieftains, were on the ground between yesterday and this morning signing the relevant documents with Senator Dickson and the NDC leaders.
“We don’t want a repeat of what happened in the ADC. We discovered too late that Atiku and his loyalists lured our leaders to that party to fulfil a single mission — Atiku’s presidential ambition. All is now set. Both Obi and Kwankwaso will announce their defection from the ADC on Monday.”
The planned move follows weeks of speculation over the political destination of Obi and Kwankwaso, particularly in the wake of recent Supreme Court developments affecting opposition party structures.
Addressing journalists, Galadima warned supporters to brace for what he described as coordinated attacks and disruptions following the announcement.
He said, “From Monday, when our leaders declare the platform on which they will run, one of two things will happen. I am here to guide your response.
“First, they will sponsor columnists. Second, they will deploy social media influencers to attack our candidates. For those of you on social media and those with the mighty pen, you must be prepared to respond to anything they say.
“Anything they say about our leaders—who we know to be people of integrity and honour—must be met with the ferociousness required of an intelligent man.”
The NNPP chieftain further urged supporters to respond strategically to criticism.
“Do not call anybody names until they call our leaders names. Then, we will respond with the greatest might of intellect. These are people living in their comfort zones who want to start a war; we will help them add kerosene. We are already lying flat on the floor; why should we be afraid to fall?”
Galadima alleged that opposition leaders have faced sustained repression, claiming security agencies have maligned and detained them as part of an initial phase of suppression. He argued that a second phase involved the systematic weakening of opposition platforms, listing the SDP, PDP, ADC, NDP, and PRP as having been “decimated.”
Also speaking at the event, Isaac Fayose, brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, expressed support for the proposed Obi-Kwankwaso alliance, describing it as a viable alternative.
“I am not a politician and don’t need to join your political party. But let me say that O-K (Obi-Kwankwaso) is okay for me,” he stated.
Reflecting on the 2023 elections, Fayose added, “In the last election in Lagos, I was the returning officer in Ibeju-Lekki. They came with many distractions, but the votes were so overwhelming they couldn’t change the results. This time, we must be ready to protect our votes. We have to be strong in a country where we have a N70,000 minimum wage.”
Activist Aisha Yesufu also addressed the gathering, calling for unity across ethnic and regional lines.
She said, “It is time for us to become a nation that works. The next time they say to you that this is an Igbo, Hausa, or Yoruba person, tell them: ‘Indeed, we are all Nigerians.’
“We must unite right now. When they tell you about generational hatred, ask them where it has led Nigeria. We are brothers and sisters. We must not forget that.”
