Kano, Nigeria — The Kwankwasiyya movement has announced that Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State, will formally defect from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the African Democratic Congress on Monday.
According to the movement, the defection ceremony is scheduled to take place in Kano, where Kwankwaso is expected to appear alongside several key members of the NNPP. The move is seen as part of early political realignments ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The announcement follows a recent visit by Rauf Aregbesola, the national secretary of the ADC and former governor of Osun State. Aregbesola met with Kwankwaso at his residence in Abuja earlier in the week, sparking speculation about a possible political alliance.
Kwankwaso later confirmed the visit in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) page but did not disclose details of their discussions.
Political speculation intensified on Sunday during the annual Kwankwasiyya Eid festival held in Kano. At the event, supporters were heard chanting the name of Peter Obi, the former governor of Anambra State and ex-presidential candidate of the Labour Party.
Both Kwankwaso and Obi acknowledged the crowd’s enthusiasm and delivered brief remarks, though neither addressed the chants directly. Observers say the moment has fueled further discussions about possible political collaborations ahead of the next election cycle.
Monday’s formal registration is expected to mark Kwankwaso’s official exit from the NNPP — a party he was instrumental in building — and signal the beginning of a new phase in his political career.
Analysts believe the development could reshape alliances within Nigeria’s opposition landscape as political figures begin positioning themselves for the 2027 elections.
