Top leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) are considering defecting to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the 2027 general elections, Saturday PUNCH has learned.
Among those at the centre of the proposed realignment is the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Sources close to the former Anambra State governor indicated that the move stems from growing dissatisfaction with the ADC’s internal structure and rising uncertainty following a recent Supreme Court judgment.
Alhough the apex court vacated an injunction that had removed party executives, it stopped short of resolving the substantive leadership dispute, returning the matter to the Federal High Court. Insiders fear the final outcome could destabilise the ADC at a critical point in the election cycle.
Obi Closes In on NDC Ticket
A stakeholder familiar with the development said Mr Obi had been consulting widely.
“The ADC appears designed to favour one aspirant. They are also unwilling to zone the presidential ticket to the South. If the structure is skewed, the primary cannot be credible,” the source said.
“Mr Obi has concluded that the platform is not formidable. We have met with the NDC, and they have promised him an unchallenged presidential ticket. In the coming days, he is expected to dump the ADC for the NDC.”
A second aide confirmed the plan, adding that an official announcement would be made shortly.
The National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, neither confirmed nor denied the reports but reiterated that Mr Obi would contest in 2027.
“I will neither confirm nor deny until such a pronouncement is made officially. What I want Nigerians to know is that His Excellency will be on the ballot,” Mr Tanko said.
NDC Confirms Talks
The NDC Deputy Publicity Secretary, Abdulmumin Abdulsalam, confirmed that discussions involving Mr Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso had been ongoing with the party’s National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson.
“Obi is most welcome, and so is Kwankwaso. They have discussed with our national leaders. We received their names about a month ago from the ADC, and we are willing to give them the presidential ticket,” Mr Abdulsalam said.
ADC Chieftains Signal Exit
An ADC leader told Saturday PUNCH that the Supreme Court ruling offered little cause for celebration.
“There is nothing much to celebrate. It is like postponing the evil day. The substantive matter is at the Federal High Court, and if the judiciary is manipulated against us, it may hand Tinubu a cheap victory,” he said.
“After reviewing the judgment, many of our leaders said we should not abandon the search for a safer platform. We are considering the NDC.”
A chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) echoed similar concerns, describing the verdict as a “trap” and hinting at possible defections by key figures, including Mr Obi and Senator Kwankwaso.
ADC Publicity Secretary Dismisses Claims
However, the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, dismissed reports of an impending exodus.
“I am not aware of any move by coalition leaders to adopt another platform,” he said, adding that efforts by the ruling party to sponsor crises in opposition parties would ultimately fail.
Binani Joins NDC
In a related development, former Adamawa State governorship candidate Senator Aishatu Binani formally joined the NDC on Friday, nine months after leaving the All Progressives Congress for the ADC.
Senator Binani said her decision followed her supporters’ call to move to a platform with a stronger commitment to structured governance.
Receiving her into the party, Senator Seriake Dickson declared: “The NDC is that better vehicle—strong, reliable, and focused on delivering results. Do not delay, because delay can be costly.”