2027: Cracks Deepen in Opposition Bloc as Kwankwaso Attacks ADC

Deepening cracks within Nigeria’s opposition coalition have burst into the open ahead of the January 2027 presidential election, following a scathing statement by Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) stalwart Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

Kwankwaso rebuked the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, ruling out any last-minute withdrawal or alignment between the two political camps.

The public fallout exposes severe friction between the major opposition parties as they struggle to present a unified front against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Allegations of Mischief and “Sabotage”

Writing under his initials, RMK, the former Governor of Kano State expressed deep concern over what he termed “unnecessary and unhelpful” attacks directed at himself, the NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi, and the party structure. Kwankwaso accused the ADC of orchestrating a misinformation campaign designed to mislead opposition voters on the eve of the election.

According to him, the ADC campaign council has been spreading rumours that the NDC’s “OK” (Obi-Kwankwaso) ticket is secretly working for the ruling APC or planning to withdraw from the presidential race in favour of the ADC candidate.

“Let me state clearly and unequivocally: we will not withdraw our candidature for the ADC or any other party,” Kwankwaso declared in a statement.

Instead of targeting the NDC leadership, Kwankwaso advised the ADC campaign team to direct its energy toward defending its own candidate. He referenced serious, unspecified allegations recently levelled against the ADC flagbearer by Vice President Kashim Shettima, suggesting the ADC is failing to address its own vulnerabilities.

“The ADC-PCC would be better served directing its energy toward rebutting the serious allegations levelled against their candidate by the Vice President, His Excellency Kashim Shettima, instead of targeting me and His Excellency Peter Obi,” Kwankwaso fired back.

A Fractured Alternative to the APC

The public spat highlights the intense rivalry for the title of “main opposition challenger” to the current administration. While Kwankwaso reiterated that the APC-led government has failed Nigerians, he explicitly rejected the idea that the ADC offers a viable path forward.

Kwankwaso maintained that the NDC remains the country’s most formidable opposition platform, describing the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket as a “healing ticket” with broad, cross-regional support across both Northern and Southern Nigeria.

With only months to go before Nigerians head to the polls in January 2027, the escalating war of words signals that a unified opposition alliance is highly unlikely, potentially splitting the anti-incumbency vote to the benefit of the ruling party.