BREAKING: Obi, Atiku, Kwankwaso, Others To Join New Party, Abandon ADC Amid Internal Crisis
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has called on prominent opposition figures to join its platform, saying a united front is needed to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).Nigerian Police updates
In a post on its official X handle on Tuesday, the party invited former presidential candidates Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
The party also invited former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi to join the party as a collective effort to reshape Nigeria’s political landscape.
Obi, Atiku, Kwankwaso, and Amaechi have all joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), aiming to challenge the ruling APC and prevent President Bola Tinubu from winning re-election in 2027.
The party said bringing together influential opposition leaders under one platform would strengthen efforts to defeat the APC.
According to the NDC, the move is aimed at building a formidable political coalition capable of challenging the APC in future elections.
“We call on Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, Kwankwaso and Amaechi to join NDC and let us run APC out of Nigeria for good,” the statement read.
The party further described the call as a national assignment, stressing that it requires collective commitment from major opposition leaders.
“Collective interest. End the structure of criminality and rascality of APC. This is a national assignment,” the party added.
The appeal comes amid an ongoing leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Last Wednesday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced plans to remove the names of Senator David Mark and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as leaders of the party, citing a pending court dispute over the ADC’s leadership.
INEC also declared that it would suspend recognition of any ADC faction or leadership until the Federal High Court in Abuja delivers a final ruling on the matter.
The decision was detailed in a press statement issued on Wednesday by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee.
According to INEC, the move follows “preservatory orders” issued by the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026, involving Senator David Mark and Nafiu Bala Gombe.
According to the commission, “the names of the current National Working Committee members led by Senator David Mark… would be removed from the INEC portal pursuant to the order of the Court of Appeal to maintain the status quo ante bellum.”
The commission explained that the court had directed all parties to maintain the existing situation before the suit was filed and to refrain from actions that could undermine the ongoing proceedings.
“Parties are hereby directed to maintain the status quo ante bellum and shall refrain from taking any step… capable of foisting a fait accompli on the court,” INEC quoted from the appellate court ruling.
INEC further disclosed that it received conflicting legal communications from parties involved in the dispute, with one faction warning against recognising Nafiu Bala Gombe as acting chairman, while another demanded full enforcement of the appellate court’s judgment.
Amid the legal tussle, the commission said it would no longer engage with any faction of the ADC.
