NDC woos Obi, Kwankwaso with presidential ticket ahead of primary deadline
NDC Invited to Ibadan Summit but Does Not Attend
By Henry Umoru
ABUJA — As Nigeria gears up for the 2027 general and presidential elections, indications have emerged that the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) is actively pursuing partnerships with two prominent opposition leaders. These potential alliances involve the 2023 presidential candidates from the Labour Party (LP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
In a post shared on X—formerly Twitter—on Sunday, the NDC indicated a limited timeframe for these politicians to align with its platform before the impending primary deadline. “All we need right now. Just all we need. 2 weeks to the deadline,” read the post, which also included an image of Obi and Kwankwaso shaking hands, captioned, “Nigeria will be OK.”
The development has amplified speculation about ongoing coalition discussions as opposition figures recalibrate their strategies in anticipation of a competitive election cycle. Supporters of both Obi and Kwankwaso have been mobilizing under the “OK Movement,” aimed at fostering a strategic partnership between the two politicians. The movement is reportedly gaining traction across various states, further energizing talks of a potential opposition merger.
Regarding the recent Ibadan Summit, where Nigeria’s opposition parties convened to select a unified candidate to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, sources confirmed that the NDC was invited but could not attend due to the short notice. The party subsequently canceled its planned participation, although its flags were displayed at the summit venue as consultations for potential alignments continue.
When approached for clarification about the NDC’s relationship with Obi and Kwankwaso, the party’s National Secretary, Ikenna Morgan, noted that several social media accounts simulate the NDC’s presence and may disseminate unverified messages.
“I’m not going to say I handle the party’s Twitter account,” Morgan stated. He referenced a previous incident where misinformation was attributed to an unverified handle, emphasizing the need for cautious verification regarding any social media statements.
“We have many Facebook, Twitter, and other accounts claiming to represent the NDC, but that is not correct. All our official handles are verified,” he reiterated. Morgan underscored the importance of checking the legitimacy of sources, stating that any information not disseminated from a verified account should not be regarded as official communication from the party.
