By Umar Idris Shuaibu
A former Governor of Kano State and national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, has met with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of his planned defection to the African Democratic Congress on Monday.
The meeting, which comes amid intensifying political consultations, is believed to be part of broader opposition efforts to realign ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Photos from the engagement, shared by media platforms, indicated that both northern political heavyweights discussed key national and political issues as opposition leaders continue to strategise on possible coalitions.
Kwankwaso is expected to formally join the ADC during a registration event scheduled for Monday at Kwankwasiyya House, Miller Road, Bompai, Kano.
A former Kano State Commissioner for Science and Technology and ADC Caucus Secretary, Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar-Mata, in a statement, invited the general public to attend the event, noting that it would be led by the former governor.
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“I am inviting the general public to the registration event of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which will be led by Sen. Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, on Monday, March 30, 2026, at about 12:00 noon,” he said, expressing optimism for a successful exercise.
The anticipated defection follows weeks of consultations involving Kwankwaso, members of his Kwankwasiyya movement, and key stakeholders within the ADC.
In recent weeks, the former presidential candidate has held a series of high-level meetings with prominent opposition figures, including the ADC National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola; the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi; Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde; and the senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson.
Sources within political circles said the move is part of a wider opposition strategy aimed at challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next electoral cycle.
The development also comes amid a reported rift between Kwankwaso and his political protégé, Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf.
Yusuf, widely regarded as a major beneficiary of the Kwankwasiyya political structure, recently defected from the NNPP to the APC alongside several lawmakers and political appointees.
Kwankwaso had opposed the move and publicly distanced himself from it, describing it as a betrayal.
Political observers say the former governor’s expected defection to the ADC could significantly reshape political alignments in Kano and across the northern region, as opposition forces intensify preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.