Date: March 29, 2026 l Reporter: Mr Victor
Former Kano State governor and national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has reportedly dumped the party and is set to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in a major political shift ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
According to reports, Kwankwaso has concluded arrangements to formally defect to the ADC, signaling a significant realignment within Nigeria’s opposition political landscape. The move comes amid growing internal tensions within the NNPP, particularly involving political disagreements in Kano State.
Sources indicate that the decision is linked to a deepening rift between Kwankwaso and the current Kano State governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, who was elected under the NNPP platform. The fallout has reportedly weakened cohesion within the party’s structure in its traditional stronghold.
Kwankwaso, who was the NNPP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, is said to have directed his loyalists under the Kwankwasiyya Movement to prepare to move with him to the ADC, a development that could significantly reshape political alliances ahead of the next election cycle.
In a statement attributed to his political movement, it was confirmed that he is expected to officially register with the ADC on March 30, 2026, in Kano. Supporters across the country have been urged to join the new platform and actively participate in its activities.
The defection is being interpreted by analysts as part of broader opposition coalition efforts aimed at strengthening political positioning ahead of the 2027 elections. Kwankwaso has also reportedly held meetings with key political figures, fueling speculation of an emerging alliance to challenge the ruling establishment.
Further reports confirm that Kwankwaso formally resigned from the NNPP, describing the decision as necessary for “strategic political realignment” in response to the evolving national political landscape.
Political observers note that the development could have far-reaching implications, particularly in Kano State, where the NNPP has maintained strong influence. The shift may redefine power dynamics within the region and alter the balance of opposition forces nationally.
As preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 elections, Kwankwaso’s move to the ADC is expected to trigger further political realignments, with attention now focused on how other key actors within the opposition will respond in the coming months.