Supporters of Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso have opened talks on a possible opposition alliance ahead of the 2027 general elections, with both camps backing a joint presidential project under the Nigeria Democratic Congress.
The discussions became public during the party’s Aspirants’ Summit in Abuja, where members of the Obidient and Kwankwasiyya movements announced plans to raise ₦60 million for the purchase of a joint presidential nomination form.
Organisers described the fundraising effort as an early grassroots mobilisation aimed at encouraging opposition unity before the next election cycle.
Obi and Kwankwaso contested the 2023 presidential election on the platforms of the Labour Party and the New Nigeria Peoples Party respectively. Their supporters now appear focused on preventing a repeat of the opposition divisions that shaped the last presidential contest.
Political observers say the emerging cooperation reflects growing pressure within opposition circles for a broader coalition capable of mounting a stronger challenge against the ruling party in 2027.
National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, said the fundraising initiative was intended to show public support for a coalition many Nigerians believe could alter the country’s political direction.
According to him, the proposed alliance responds to increasing calls for a more coordinated opposition platform to address economic and governance concerns.
Neither Obi nor Kwankwaso has formally declared interest in the 2027 presidential election. However, the growing engagement between their support bases has already fuelled discussions around power-sharing arrangements, regional balance and the management of competing political interests.
Representing Obi at the summit, former Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Chief Peter Ameh, urged aspirants seeking positions under the NDC to place competence, credibility and national interest above personal ambition.
Ameh also warned against coalitions built mainly on defections and political convenience, arguing that alliances without clear ideological direction may struggle to gain public trust.
He criticised the increasing trend of post-election defections by politicians, saying such moves weaken democratic accountability and undermine the mandates given by voters.
Coordinator of the Kwankwaso National Network, Moshood Shittu, attributed many of Nigeria’s current challenges to leadership failures rather than a lack of resources, insisting that effective and accountable leadership remains central to national progress.
Concerns were also raised at the summit over the process for selecting candidates within the NDC ahead of the elections.
National Secretary of the party, Ikenna Enekweizu, assured aspirants that the party would conduct transparent primaries and denied claims that party leaders had already endorsed preferred candidates.
Enekweizu said all aspirants who purchase nomination forms would be allowed to participate through either democratic primaries or consensus arrangements.
He added that female aspirants and candidates between the ages of 18 and 35 would pay 50 per cent of nomination fees, while persons living with disabilities would pay 25 per cent.
Veteran politician Buba Galadima also cautioned opposition parties against poorly managed primaries, warning that internal disputes could weaken coalition efforts before campaigns begin.
Galadima said divisive primaries often leave parties dealing with litigation and factional crises, adding that carefully negotiated consensus arrangements may help opposition groups maintain unity ahead of the 2027 elections.
