ADC Ticket: Obi, Kwankwaso to Battle Atiku

Fresh moves are underway to revive talks on a joint presidential ticket involving Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 general elections, with both politicians expected to challenge Atiku Abubakar for the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The discussions are part of renewed efforts to forge opposition unity following the fragmented outcome of the 2023 presidential election. Obi and Kwankwaso, who were candidates of the Labour Party (LP) and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) respectively in 2023, had previously explored an alliance before that poll. The negotiations collapsed after both sides failed to agree on who would take the presidential and vice-presidential slots.

The current push for a joint ticket draws from their individual performances in the last election. Obi secured over six million votes nationwide, winning the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos and all South-East states, while also galvanising strong youth and urban support across the country. Kwankwaso, on his part, recorded a decisive win in Kano State, consolidating his influence through the Kwankwasiyya movement in one of Nigeria’s largest voting blocs.

Sources say former President Olusegun Obasanjo is playing a central role in the renewed talks and believes an Obi–Kwankwaso ticket would give the opposition a stronger chance of mounting a credible challenge to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027. According to several accounts, Obasanjo has encouraged Kwankwaso to consider joining the ADC and accepting the vice-presidential slot.

Obi formally joined the ADC two weeks ago and has indicated his intention to contest in 2027. Kwankwaso, who remains in the NNPP, told supporters over the weekend that he is consulting with political leaders and will soon make public his next line of action. An aide confirmed that high-level discussions are ongoing across the political spectrum, but said no final position has been adopted.

Sources familiar with the talks said two strategic options are being pursued. The first is to confront Atiku directly at the ADC presidential primaries. The second is to secure an alternative political platform should the primaries prove unfavourable.

One source said the calculation is that Atiku’s grip on the ADC remains strong, making it difficult for either Obi or Kwankwaso to defeat him individually at the primaries. However, the source added that a combined effort could alter the balance.

Another source said promoters of the proposed ticket have agreed that if they fail to secure the ADC ticket, they will move to another party to actualise the joint ticket.

Efforts to obtain comments from Atiku’s media office and from the leadership of the Obidient Movement were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

During an interaction with his supporters at the weekend, Kwankwaso said any merger or coalition discussion must come with a clear offer of either the presidential or vice-presidential slot. He also dismissed reports of an alleged plan by Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to defect to the APC, denying any pact to move to the ruling party.

Kwankwaso confirmed that discussions had taken place with leaders of the APC but said no concrete offer was made that addressed the interests of his party and supporters. He rejected claims that the NNPP is limited to Kano State, insisting that the party has national structures and offices across the country.

“At the national level, we are open to merging with others, whether under the NNPP or any other platform,” he said. “But those who want us must agree that I, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, will be number one or number two.”

Political analysts say the renewed push for an Obi–Kwankwaso ticket reflects lessons from the 2023 election, but warn that the ambition could falter if Atiku remains in the race or if the opposition again fails to unite behind a single platform.

Prof. Abubakar Kari of the University of Abuja said the ticket would combine Obi’s appeal among youths, urban voters and the South-East with Kwankwaso’s strong base in the North. He noted, however, that Atiku’s entrenched position within the ADC poses a serious challenge.

Kari cautioned that the opposition risks repeating the mistakes of 2023 if it emerges from the primaries divided, particularly if Obi and Kwankwaso decide to leave the ADC after losing the ticket.

Dr Sam Amadi of the Abuja School of Political and Social Thought said the appeal of the ticket since 2023 has been driven largely by Kwankwaso’s dominance in Kano State. He added that the ticket’s national competitiveness would depend on securing broader northern alliances beyond Kano.

Both analysts warned that moving the joint ticket outside the ADC could further fragment opposition votes, weakening the challenge to the ruling party ahead of the 2027 elections.