By Our Correspondents, Abuja
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) said yesterday that defection plans by Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso remained “speculative,” even as party leaders reached out to both men for fresh negotiations.
But six hours after the party’s statement, Kwankwaso confirmed he was already in talks with rival political parties. The Obidient Movement also issued a statement saying Obi is engaged in “extensive, high-level consultations” on his political future.
ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi told reporters at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja that reports of an imminent defection were “within the realm of speculation.”
“We have not seen any official announcement to that effect. When that happens we will respond accordingly,” Abdullahi said.
When asked whether party leaders were making efforts to prevent Obi and Kwankwaso from leaving, Abdullahi confirmed that leaders were reaching out to them. He said the purpose was “to understand what their real position is beyond what is in the rumour mill.”
“It is not to prevent them from moving out,” Abdullahi said. “It will be within their right to do so.”
Abdullahi also said the party had put in place measures for a transparent presidential primary.
Approximately six hours after Abdullahi’s briefing, Kwankwaso posted a statement on his official social media handles.
“I have noted recent media reports and discussions suggesting a possible realignment within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) due to the current challenges facing the party,” he wrote.
“In light of the misleading narratives in the public domain, I wish to state categorically that no final decision has been taken regarding my political future or that of my political associates.”
Kwankwaso said the ADC’s current situation reminded him of the crisis that forced him to leave the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
“We left the NNPP due to externally influenced legal problems that made our stay perilous,” he wrote. “The ADC has now been also forced into this difficulty.”
He said he had “commenced wide-ranging consultations — including with leaders from the NDC, PRP and others to explore the best options for protecting our democratic interests.”
Kwankwaso added that “any definitive position on our political direction will be communicated formally through official channels at the appropriate time.”
The Obidient Movement also issued a statement yesterday, signed by its National Coordinator, Dr. Yunusa Tanko.
“His Excellency, Peter Gregory Obi, is currently engaged in extensive, high-level consultations with key stakeholders, political allies, and aligned movements,” the statement read.
The statement said the consultations were “focused on determining the most strategic and effective path forward in the best interest of the Nigerian people.”
The ADC has been battling a leadership crisis that has spilled into the courts. Two factions have claimed control of the party.
On April 30, 2026, the Supreme Court set aside a Court of Appeal order and restored recognition to the David Mark-led National Working Committee. INEC has since updated its database to reflect Mark as National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary.
However, the Supreme Court also remitted the matter back to the High Court. A Federal High Court in Abuja recently barred INEC from recognizing any congress organized by a disputed caretaker leadership of the party. The court also restrained the Mark-led national executive from interfering with elected state executives.
Kwankwaso referenced this in his statement, saying the Supreme Court judgment “has left the party in a precarious position.”
Discussion about this post