5 Reasons Kwankwaso’s Defection to ADC May Tear Opposition Party Apart
- Rabiu Kwankwaso defects to the ADC, impacting the coalition's unity against President Tinubu
- Potential internal conflicts arise over leadership and ideology within the ADC due to Kwankwaso's move
- Kwankwaso's defection may fragment opposition alliances, threatening anti-Tinubu efforts for the 2027 elections
Rabiu Kwankwaso, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election and former governor of Kano state, has dumped the party and joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which was adopted by the coalition movement in 2025.
The coalition movement, which was started by the former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, set out to sack President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.
Atiku started by calling on opposition leaders to come together under one party to stop Tinubu's second-term ambition.
Source: Twitter
While the coalition appeared successful in bringing the major opposition leaders together, the defection of Kwankwaso to the ADC may once again lead to another division, and they may not be able to stop President Tinubu and the APC, based on five certain things that have been observed.
Speaking on the move to sack Tinubu, Olajumoke Victor, a political commentator, said in an interview with Legit.ng, urged the party to define its ideology for Nigerians and build a national structure. He said:
"A strong opposition requires clear ideology, credible leadership, and a national structure. While the ADC is gaining attention, it still needs to prove that it can effectively challenge the ruling party."
5 effects of Kwankwaso's defection to ADC
Below are five things that may divide the ADC
1. Clash of political structures
Kwankwaso comes with a strong, loyal base (the Kwankwasiyya movement), which may conflict with existing ADC power blocs struggling to retain relevance and control.
These power blocs include Atiku and Peter Obi, who have also insisted on having the party's presidential ticket, and they all made strong statements in the 2023 presidential elections.
2. Leadership tussle
His political weight and presidential ambition could trigger internal battles over who leads the party into the 2027 Nigerian general elections, especially among long-standing ADC figures.
For instance, Atiku has positioned himself and leaders who brought the opposition leaders together. On the other hand, Obi believes the South should have the presidential ticket and considers himself a potential leader.
3. Ideological incoherence
ADC has tried to position itself as a coalition platform, but Kwankwaso’s entry may deepen ideological divisions, making it harder to present a unified policy direction.
Just as Victor told Legit.ng in the interview, the ADC has yet to form a unified ideology as the power blocs operate in isolation despite being in the same party.
4. Marginalisation fears among old members
Longtime ADC members may feel sidelined by a high-profile defector, leading to resentment, defections, or parallel factions within the party.
Kwankwaso is a movement on his own, and his influence in northern politics cannot be underestimated. Thus, he stands to be a threat to existing members.
5. Opposition fragmentation instead of unity
Rather than consolidating opposition forces, his move could split alliances, particularly affecting relations with other opposition actors like Atiku and Obi, weakening the broader anti-incumbent front.
Unfortunately, neither Kwankwaso, Obi, nor Atiku has shown the willingness to step down their ambition for the 2027 elections.
Source: Twitter
INEC decides on PDP crisis
Legit.ng earlier reported that INEC disclosed its position on the crisis rocking the opposition PDP, which is now into two factions controlled by Oyo state governor Seyi Makinde and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
The electoral body made the position while speaking on the requestion of the legal representatives of a faction, Akintayo Balogun & Co.
Recall that the PDP has been facing an internal crisis since the outcome of the 2023 general election, where the party lost to President Bola Tinubu.
Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
