Political Heavyweights Converge In Kano As Rabiu Kwankwaso Formally Defects To ADC Amid Internal Party Friction

Rabiu Kwankwaso officially joins the ADC in a star-studded Kano event featuring Peter Obi and David Mark, while an ADC faction calls for "due process."

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 31, 2026, 5:13 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from LEADERSHIP

A Massive Gathering Of Opposition Leaders In Kano

The ancient city of Kano became the epicenter of Nigerian political realignment yesterday as the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark, led a delegation of prominent leaders to receive Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso into the party. The former Kano State Governor, who resigned from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) just 24 hours prior, officially registered at his Miller Road residence. He was issued membership number 000201, signaling his immediate seniority within the party hierarchy. The event served as a major display of opposition solidarity, suggesting the formation of a broad coalition ahead of future electoral cycles.

High-Profile Attendance Signals Potential Third Force

The registration ceremony featured an array of influential political figures from various parties, highlighting the cross-partisan nature of the gathering. Notable attendees included former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, ex-Governor of Sokoto State Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, and former APC National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun. Also present were former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha and former Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola. David Mark described the occasion as a "significant moment," asserting that Kwankwaso’s entry into the ADC is a direct response to the public's demand for a unified opposition front to safeguard the nation’s multiparty democracy.

Kwankwaso Urges Nationwide Mobilization

In his first official address as an ADC member, Kwankwaso characterized the move as historic and expressed gratitude for the reception. He immediately pivoted to a mobilization strategy, calling on his supporters across Nigeria to not only join the ADC but also ensure they are registered with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). "Registration in the party is only part of the process," Kwankwaso noted, emphasizing that the ultimate goal of the defection is to leverage the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) system to bring about systemic change in the country's governance.