In a significant development that could reshape Nigeria's political landscape, former Kano State Governor and leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is reportedly engaging in quiet discussions to form a grand opposition coalition with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Labour Party flagbearer Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Coalition Talks Gain Momentum Amid Defections
According to sources familiar with the negotiations, talks are focused on the feasibility of uniting the three political heavyweights under the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). This strategic move is seen as a direct response to the expanding dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the recent wave of defections affecting opposition ranks.
The political calculus is compelling. Atiku Abubakar (PDP), Peter Obi (formerly LP), and Rabiu Kwankwaso (NNPP) finished second, third, and fourth respectively in the 2023 presidential election. A united front consolidating their collective support bases is viewed by many analysts as the most formidable challenge possible to the APC's incumbency advantage.
The discussions have gained urgency following Peter Obi's formal defection to the ADC alongside several supporters and lawmakers. An ADC chieftain, Dr. Ladan Salihu, confirmed that Obi's entry has repositioned the party as a serious rallying point for opposition forces seeking a viable alternative.
Internal Crisis in Kano Fuels Realignment
The coalition talks are unfolding against a backdrop of internal crisis within Kwankwaso's political stronghold. Reports indicate that the current Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, alongside a majority of the state's House of Assembly members, is preparing to defect to the APC.
This planned move has reportedly caused significant tension and disagreement within the Kwankwasiyya movement, Kwankwaso's core political structure. Sources say Kwankwaso is opposed to the governor's defection, which threatens to erode the NNPP's base in its most critical state. Senior APC figures, including Vice President Kashim Shettima and Party Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, are expected to attend a ceremony in Abuja to formalize Governor Yusuf's switch.
This erosion of his home base is a key factor believed to be pushing Kwankwaso to explore broader alliance options beyond the NNPP, with the ADC appearing as a potential neutral vehicle for a coalition.
Opposition Unity vs. APC Consolidation
While opposition figures maneuver towards unity, the APC continues to solidify its hold on power across the nation. The ruling party now boasts control of 28 state governorships, a number that increased recently with the defection of Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, who formally joined the APC on Monday, December 29, 2025.
In response to this shifting landscape, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has also acknowledged the pressing need for opposition collaboration. The party's National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, stated that while the PDP's immediate focus is resolving internal legal matters, it recognizes that opposition parties must ultimately work together to present a credible challenge.
Political observers note that the success of any proposed alliance between Atiku, Obi, and Kwankwaso will hinge on delicate negotiations regarding leadership, structure, and the sharing of political offices. However, the mere exploration of such a coalition signals a strategic awakening within the opposition, fueled by a belief that growing public discontent could be harnessed in 2027 if a united front is successfully presented to the electorate.
