Fresh signs of crisis have emerged within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as more top politicians are set to leave the party subsequent to the recent exit of Peter Obi.
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Former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, said, on Sunday, that no final decision has been taken on his political future, but confirmed that consultations are ongoing with key stakeholders across parties.
His statement comes at a point when growing tension is eating up the ADC from within after a series of court cases and internal disputes.
Kwankwaso said the party is facing serious legal and structural challenges. He pointed to the recent Supreme Court ruling, which affirmed the leadership of David Mark but returned the matter to a lower court which has left uncertainty within the party.
He also cited a Federal High Court judgment that nullified the party’s convention, as well as a move by the Attorney General of the Federation to seek the deregistration of the party.
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He said, “This has left the party in a precarious position.”
The former minister added that his group had faced a similar situation in the past, forcing them to leave the New Nigeria Peoples Party.
He said further, “We left the NNPP due to externally influenced legal problems that made our stay perilous. The ADC has now also been forced into this difficulty.”
Kwankwaso disclosed that wide consultations are ongoing with leaders from other political platforms, including the National Democratic Coalition and the Peoples Redemption Party, to decide the next step.
He, however, denied speculations about his presidential ambition, saying the ADC has not taken any decision on zoning or candidates.
He stated, “I have neither declared any intention to run for president nor endorsed any aspirant.”
However, fresh details from a meeting he held with supporters in Kano suggest a possible exit may be closer than publicly stated.
At the meeting with members of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Kwankwaso was said to have accused the ADC of betrayal where he alleged that the party refused to sign an agreement to share political positions with his bloc in states where they are strong.
He also warned that the party’s growing legal battles could weaken its chances ahead of the 2027 elections and that plans were already in motion to move to another political platform.
According to him, discussions have reached an advanced stage with Obi, Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde on forming a new political alliance.
He reportedly told supporters that a final decision would be announced within days.
Kwankwaso also criticised the party’s plan to adopt direct primaries, which he described as a system that could trigger internal conflict. He cited past experiences, warning that such processes often lead to disputes and prolonged court cases.
He further revealed that talks were held with Rotimi Amaechi on the possibility of a consensus candidate, but said the move failed after Amaechi declined to step down.
He added that the entry of Muhammad Hayatu-Deen into the ADC presidential race could further complicate efforts to reach consensus.
Kwankwaso urged his supporters across states to begin preparations to leave the party, noting that a new platform without legal disputes was being considered.
This development comes days after Obi blamed internal crisis and external pressure for his decision to quit the ADC, now raising concerns about the party’s stability ahead of the 2027 elections.
As it stands now, if the planned defections go ahead, the ADC could face a deeper crisis in the coming weeks.
New evidence has emerged that Peter Obi and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, visited the residence of the national leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, on Sunday.
Obi and Kwankwaso arrived at Dickson’s residence at 5:14 p.m. to meet with the former Bayelsa State governor and the NDC leadership as part of ongoing consultations and discussions.
The meeting was held behind closed doors.
