2027 Politics: NNPP, NDC Disagree Over Obi-Kwankwaso Coalition Claims

The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) have exchanged accusations over an alleged plan to dissolve the NNPP into the opposition coalition in support of a Peter Obi-Rabiu Kwankwaso presidential ticket for the 2027 general election.
The latest disagreement follows renewed speculation about a possible alliance involving Obi and Kwankwaso, a claim the NNPP has repeatedly denied. Speaking during an interview, NNPP National Chairman, Major Agbo, alleged that the party’s former leadership attempted to merge the NNPP into what he described as the “Obi-Kwankwaso arrangement” under the NDC. He claimed that the immediate past National Chairman, Bala Yusuf, intended to collapse the party’s structure in support of Kwankwaso before the current leadership assumed office.
Agbo accused the former leadership of pursuing personal interests, insisting the NNPP only presented a placeholder presidential candidate to meet electoral requirements and not because of any agreement with the NDC or the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He also ruled out any future political alliance with Kwankwaso or his associates, while stressing that the party remains open to partnerships with individuals or parties whose vision aligns with its manifesto and constitution. According to him, the placeholder candidate will be replaced with a stronger contender once the substitution window opens.
The NNPP chairman further noted that the party had lost several prominent members in recent months, including Kwankwaso and former National Publicity Secretary Ladipo Johnson to the NDC, while Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf and several political appointees joined the APC.
Responding to the allegations, NDC Deputy National Publicity Secretary Abdulmumin Abdulsalam dismissed the claims, stating that the coalition has no agreement or political arrangement with the NNPP. He said the NDC has no pact with the party, particularly in Kano State, describing the coalition as a “moving train” with enough momentum to stand on its own.
Abdulsalam argued that the NNPP, having lost many of its notable members, would be the party seeking political alliances rather than the NDC. He added that Kwankwaso had moved on from the NNPP and had no reason to return, describing the party as “an old cloth” that had outlived its usefulness.
The exchange is the latest sign of growing political tension as coalition talks and realignments continue to gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general election.