Kwankwaso quits NNPP, to join ADC today
National leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso yesterday dumped the party. He is heading for the African Democratic Congress (ADC). This development has marked
- By Emmanuel Badejo, Assistant Editor, and Fanen Ihyongo, Kano
National leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso yesterday dumped the party. He is heading for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
This development has marked a significant shift in the opposition political landscape ahead of next year’s general elections.
Kwankwaso yesterday announced his resignation from the NNPP with “immediate effect” in a personally signed statement, describing the decision as part of a “strategic realignment” in response to evolving national political dynamics.
He expressed appreciation to NNPP’s leadership structures, including the National Working Committee (NWC), Board of Trustees (BOT) and grassroots members nationwide, as well as supporters of the Kwankwasiyya Movement.
Kwankwaso expected movement to the ADC today will make it the fourth political he is joining since 1999.
He started out from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on which platform he was governor of Kano State for one term and Minster of Defence in the Olusegun Obasanjo presidency. He moved to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a foundation member in 2023 and was elected senator in 2015.
He joined the NNPP and contested unsuccessfully for president in 2023. But his political son Abba Kabiru Yusuf won election as Kano State governor.
He fell out with Yusuf a few months ago and Yusuf defect from the NNPP to the APC.
Kwankwaso’s exit will return the NNPP to the doldrums where the party was before he moved his Kwankwasiyya Movement into it..
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Although Kwankwaso did not name his next political platform, the Kwankwasiyya Movement last night confirmed that he would register with the ADC at his residence, Gidan Kwankwasiyya, in Kano, today.
It directed members to follow suit in their respective wards and local government areas and actively participate in ADC’s activities, saying the decision was taken in their interest and those of supporters nationwide.
But the founder of the NNPP, Dr Boniface Aniebonam, said the party was not part of Kwankwaso’s planned move to the ADC.
In a statement in Lagos, Aniebonam maintained that the NNPP remained intact and would not follow the former presidential candidate into another political platform.
He also stated that the party would not accept Kwankwaso back in the future, adding that consultations were ongoing ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Similarly, a memo by a former NNPP national chairman, Dr Ahmed Ajuji, urged party officials at all levels to remain in their positions and continue their activities, except those who choose to resign and pursue other political interests.
Kwankwaso’s move to the ADC followed months of speculation about his political future and came amid ongoing consultations among opposition figures as the next election cycle draws closer.
His recent meeting in Kano with former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, during the Sallah celebrations further fuelled discussions about possible opposition alliances.
The development is expected to reshape alignments within the opposition as parties intensify preparations for 2027.
