Former Anambra Governor Peter Obi and ex-Kano Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso are emerging as strong contenders expected to secure the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential tickets ahead of the next election cycle.
Both former governors, who recently defected from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), an opposition party adopted by a coalition of political heavyweights to defeat President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), are now seen as the most likely aspirants to secure a direct presidential ticket in the NDC.
This development is viewed by political observers as their most viable pathway into the presidential race aimed at unseating Tinubu, as their stay in the ADC became unproductive due to internal legal battles over party leadership, while the NDC is perceived as having fewer notable figures capable of challenging the duo.
The NDC has, however, been gaining momentum since the entry of Obi and Kwankwaso, with the party boasting that it is free of past and ongoing legal disputes and internal divisions, issues that were central to the duo’s exit from the ADC.
This position has been embraced by supporters of both the Obidient and Kwankwasiya movements, who view it as a positive signal that their leaders now have a clearer path ahead of the anticipated polls.
Both politicians had earlier announced their official entry into the NDC, with Kwankwaso stating that the move was driven by a deep commitment to democratic values and a determination to provide Nigerians with a credible platform to thrive and realise their full potential.
The former Kano governor, who was recently at the residence of NDC national leader Seriake Dickson in Abuja alongside Obi, reiterated that their decision was rooted in the need to strengthen democratic ideals and reposition opposition politics.
He also called on supporters and well-meaning Nigerians to join the NDC and stand with them in what he described as a renewed fight for good governance and true democracy.
Similarly, Obi said his decision to exit the ADC for the NDC was informed by the worsening condition of the country and the urgent need to reposition Nigeria on the path of recovery and progress.
He described the move as a continuation of his long-standing commitment to building a new Nigeria anchored on justice, accountability, competence, and compassion.
“The condition of our nation and the urgent need to rescue Nigeria informed my decision,” Obi said.
In a statement issued on Monday, he emphasized that his defection was neither driven by personal ambition nor political convenience.
He explained that after “deep reflection” on the country’s current trajectory, he concluded that a new political alignment had become necessary to effectively pursue the reforms Nigeria urgently requires.
The former Anambra State governor, while not shying away from criticism of internal crises and legal battles that have plagued
opposition parties, noted that his exit from the ADC mirrored his earlier departure from the Labour Party.
According to him, such disputes were not accidental but “orchestrated” efforts aimed at weakening credible participation in the democratic process.
Despite his exit, Obi expressed gratitude to the ADC leadership, particularly Chairman David Mark, as well as other key figures within the party, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, whom he described as a respected leader and elder brother.
Obi also used the occasion to issue a stern warning to the Nigerian government, cautioning against the manipulation of political institutions and the destabilization of opposition parties.