Former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, and ex-Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, have officially become members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, marking a significant shift in Nigeria’s evolving opposition landscape.
The duo were presented with membership cards shortly after a closed-door meeting with top figures of the party, drawing applause from supporters present at the event.
Obi, who flew the flag of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election, and Kwankwaso, the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party in the same contest, recently exited the African Democratic Congress (ADC) before aligning with the NDC.
They were formally received by a former Bayelsa State governor and prominent party leader, Seriake Dickson, who described their entry as a major boost for the party’s national outlook.
The development comes amid intensifying political realignments among opposition figures positioning ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at the gathering, Obi urged party members and stakeholders to avoid internal disputes that could derail the party’s progress.
“Please, let there be no litigation. Party members, please, don’t go to court. What we want is a party. Women and children will be proud of this party.
“This party will form a government that will rescue Nigeria, will form a government to ensure that Nigerians can live in Nigeria without living in fear, to ensure that a mother will no longer cry for a child that left for school and will not return,” the former governor said.
“We will ensure that Nigerians will no longer go to bed in their millions, not knowing where the next meal will come from the next day.
“We don’t want to spend our time in litigation and fighting ourselves. We want to spend our time dealing with issues that affect the ordinary Nigerian,” he added.
He also appealed to Nigerians, particularly his supporters, to join the party and strengthen its grassroots base.
In his remarks, Kwankwaso encouraged Nigerians to register with the NDC, revealing that his political structure had already commenced the process.
Earlier, Dickson welcomed the new entrants, expressing optimism about the party’s future with their inclusion.
“On behalf of the leaders of our party and on behalf of the teeming members of our party, well-meaning Nigerians from all over our country, who in the five months have defied all odds and conquered all doubts, and invested their trust and confidence in the dream and vision of this party.
“On behalf of all of them, I thank you all, and I welcome you all, especially to the NDC and my humble home,” he said.
He described the NDC as a rapidly growing political force with a strong internal structure.
“I welcome you to Nigeria’s fastest-growing political party. I welcome you all to Nigeria’s most stable political party.
“I welcome you all to a party that has no faction, to a party that has no litigation whatsoever. I also want to welcome you all to a party that does not know what is called status quo ante bellum,” the senator stated.
Dickson further praised both Obi and Kwankwaso as capable leaders, noting that additional party arrangements would be disclosed in due course.
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