The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has called on Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso to defect to its platform and contest the 2027 presidential election, intensifying early political alignments ahead of the polls.
In a message posted on Sunday via its official handle on X (formerly Twitter), the party suggested that the opportunity for both politicians to make a decision is time-bound.
“All we need right now… just all we need. Two weeks to the deadline,” the party wrote, without providing further details. The post featured an image of Obi and Kwankwaso shaking hands, alongside the caption: “Nigeria will be OK,” signalling a push for a possible joint ticket.
The NDC’s appeal comes on the heels of the emergence of the “OK Movement,” a political mobilisation drive initiated by supporters of both leaders to build momentum for a potential Obi-Kwankwaso alliance ahead of 2027. The movement’s National Publicity Secretary, Justin Ijeh, recently announced the formation of its national executive council, as well as zonal and state structures, indicating growing organisational efforts.
Both Obi and Kwankwaso are influential figures within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a party currently facing internal leadership disputes that could shape its role in the next election cycle. The crisis has escalated to the courts, with the Supreme Court of Nigeria reserving judgment on April 22 in an appeal filed by a faction led by David Mark against a suit instituted by rival chairman Nafiu Bala.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed May 30, 2026, as the deadline for political parties to submit membership registers and nominate candidates for the 2027 general elections. The timeline has drawn concern from several opposition groups.
On Saturday, opposition parties—including factions within the ADC, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)—urged INEC to extend the deadline for party primaries to the end of July. They argued that the current schedule could disadvantage parties still dealing with internal restructuring and leadership challenges.
Political analysts say the NDC’s move reflects a broader scramble among opposition forces to consolidate influence and present a formidable challenge in 2027. However, whether Obi and Kwankwaso will heed the call—and under what platform—remains uncertain as consultations continue behind the scenes.
