Obi, Kwankwaso to unveil new political platform Monday amid opposition realignment
The Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Buba Galadima, on Saturday hinted at a major political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections, disclosing that former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso would announce a new political platform on Monday.
Galadima made the disclosure during a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement in Abuja amid growing uncertainty over opposition coalition talks.
Although he did not mention the name of the platform, sources close to the opposition figures told The PUNCH that Obi and Kwankwaso were finalising plans to join the Nigeria Democratic Congress, a newly floated political party reportedly linked to former Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson.
A source familiar with the development said both leaders and their allies had been signing relevant documents with Dickson and NDC officials.
The source stated, “Both Obi, Kwankwaso and their chieftains were on 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 to occur again. We discovered late that Atiku and his loyalists lured our leaders to that opposition party to fulfil only one 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 future of Obi and Kwankwaso, particularly after recent Supreme Court developments affecting opposition parties and internal party structures.
Addressing supporters at the meeting, Galadima warned that opposition figures should expect coordinated attacks after the announcement.
“As from Monday, when our leaders declare on which platform they will run, I want to tell you that one of two things will happen,” he said.
“First, they will sponsor columnists. Two, they will deploy social media influencers to start attacking our candidates.”
He urged supporters active on social media to respond strategically to criticism directed at their leaders.
Galadima also alleged that opposition figures had been subjected to repression and intimidation, claiming that several opposition parties, including the SDP, PDP, ADC, NDP and PRP, had been weakened systematically.
Also speaking at the event, businessman Isaac Fayose expressed support for the Obi-Kwankwaso alliance, describing it as a credible alternative ahead of the next presidential election.
He claimed that the alliance already enjoyed strong support across many states and urged supporters to remain vigilant during future elections.
Activist Aisha Yesufu called for national unity, urging Nigerians to reject ethnic divisions and work together for national progress.
“It is time for us to become a nation that is working,” she said.
“The next time they say to you that this is an Igbo, Hausa or Yoruba person, tell them indeed, we are all Nigerians.”