Obasanjo Brokers Obi-Kwankwaso 2027 Alliance

The political landscape for the 2027 presidential election is shifting rapidly as former President Olusegun Obasanjo reportedly intensifies efforts to cement a formidable opposition ticket. At the heart of this strategy is a proposed alliance between Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party candidate, and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the former Governor of Kano State.

Insider reports indicate that the two political heavyweights have moved beyond informal talks, jointly establishing a committee to finalize a unified ticket. This high-stakes realignment is centered around the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which has become a focal point for major opposition figures seeking a credible alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Obasanjo, who was a vocal supporter of Obi’s “Obidient” movement in 2023, is said to be the primary architect of this new partnership. Sources within the ADC reveal that the former President has not only blessed Obi’s transition to the party but is actively lobbying influential Northern stakeholders to accept a joint ticket. His long-standing relationship with both men—having mentored Obi and appointed Kwankwaso as Minister of Defence—positions him as a unique power broker.

The proposed deal reportedly hinges on a single-term commitment from Peter Obi. By pledging to serve only four years, Obi has significantly lowered the barriers for Kwankwaso, whose “Kwankwasiyya” movement remains a dominant force in Northern politics. This arrangement would potentially see Kwankwaso serving as the Vice-Presidential candidate, with a clear path to the presidency in 2031.

While Kwankwaso has not yet officially resigned from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), his inner circle has confirmed that Obasanjo’s personal intervention has made the ADC alliance the most viable path forward. The former President’s strategy appears to be an attempt to merge Obi’s massive youth and Southern appeal with Kwankwaso’s disciplined grassroots base in the North-West.

The ADC is quickly becoming a “super-party” of sorts, with other giants like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Minister Rotimi Amaechi also reportedly eyeing the platform. However, the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket is being framed as the “gold standard” of the coalition, designed to prevent the vote-splitting that allowed the APC to secure victory in the previous cycle.

As 2026 unfolds, the pressure is mounting on opposition leaders to present a united front. Obasanjo’s involvement suggests that the 2027 race will not just be a contest of parties, but a calculated effort to reclaim the presidency through a broad-based ethnic and regional consensus. For the ADC, the arrival of these heavyweights represents the fastest growth of any political party in Nigeria’s modern democratic era.

The coming months will be critical as the committee works to harmonize the distinct ideologies of the “Obidient” and “Kwankwasiyya” camps. If successful, the Obasanjo-backed ticket could pose the most significant challenge yet to President Bola Tinubu’s second-term ambitions.