Fresh Details Emerge on 2027 Alliance Plan Between Peter Obi and Kwankwaso in ADC
Intensified efforts to produce a joint 2027 presidential ticket featuring former Anambra governor Peter Obi and former Kano governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso are gaining significant momentum within and around the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Multiple sources indicate that this renewed push involves top opposition figures, influential power brokers, and even retired military officers who believe such an alliance represents the strongest chance of unseating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next election cycle.
Cross-Party Lobbying and Opposition Strategy
Sources familiar with the development reveal that the campaign extends beyond ADC members alone, cutting across party lines and involving senior opposition politicians. Although ADC leadership has reportedly attempted to downplay the agitation, those backing the proposal continue to press their argument vigorously. They insist that combining both men's political structures could dramatically alter the 2027 electoral contest and create a formidable challenge to the APC's dominance.
There are additional claims that former president Olusegun Obasanjo remains not only sympathetic to the proposed arrangement but continues as one of the strongest promoters of Obi's presidential ambition. Opposition leaders are quietly exploring a broader coalition strategy that could reshape Nigeria's political landscape ahead of the crucial 2027 elections.
Historical Context and Previous Alliance Attempts
Obi and Kwankwaso previously served as presidential candidates for the Labour Party (LP) and the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP) respectively during the 2023 election. Before those polls, both camps reportedly explored alliance possibilities, but negotiations ultimately collapsed due to disagreements over ticket structure, including who would emerge as presidential candidate versus vice-presidential candidate.
In the 2023 election results, Obi polled over six million votes nationwide, winning in the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos, and all five South-East states. He built a youth-driven, urban-based movement that propelled him to third place overall. Meanwhile, Kwankwaso secured a decisive victory in Kano state, reaffirming his dominance through the Kwankwasiyya political movement in one of Nigeria's largest voting blocs, though he finished fourth behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former vice president Atiku Abubakar, and Obi.
Current Political Positions and Alliance Rationale
While Obi has now formally joined the ADC after months of speculation about his political direction, Kwankwaso remains within the NNPP. However, sources indicate the former Kano governor has told loyalists he is consulting widely and will announce his next move when appropriate. Opposition figures pushing the alliance believe Obi's South-East and urban support base, combined with Kwankwaso's North-West influence, could create a wider national spread capable of challenging the APC effectively in 2027.
A senior ADC member familiar with developments explained that the pairing idea has been discussed since the last election, with many leaders believing that if Obi had run with Kwankwaso in 2023, they might have secured victory. The source described this as a missed opportunity that opposition stakeholders are determined not to repeat.
Key Supporters and Public Endorsements
When contacted, Obasanjo's media aide Kehinde Akinyemi confirmed that the former president continues backing Obi's presidential ambition, just as he did during the 2023 election. Akinyemi stated he could definitively confirm Obasanjo's support for Obi's presidential aspirations, though he noted he wasn't aware of specific meetings where directives were issued regarding an Obi-Kwankwaso ticket.
Meanwhile, the Kwankwaso Support Group (KSG) has openly declared support for a joint ticket pairing Obi and Kwankwaso on any viable platform. Speaking in Kano, KSG leader Abba Gwale stated the group's position reflects what he described as the prevailing mood among Kwankwaso supporters nationwide. He emphasized that such an alliance could pose a serious challenge to the APC and respond effectively to growing public frustration over insecurity, economic hardship, and governance issues.
Broader Political Calculations and Future Prospects
Discussions about this potential alliance continue in several opposition quarters, though sources stress it has not yet become a formal agenda within ADC hierarchy. Rather, it represents party members and leaders thinking strategically about which ticket configuration could best remove the APC from power. The renewed push comes against the backdrop of the 2023 election outcome, where both politicians recorded strong but largely regional performances that many believe could be combined into a winning national formula.
As political permutations intensify ahead of 2027, the possibility of an Obi-Kwankwaso alliance remains a central topic in opposition circles, with stakeholders carefully weighing how such a partnership might reshape Nigeria's political equation and provide a credible alternative to the current administration.
