“All is now set. Both Obi and Kwankwaso will announce their defection from the ADC on Monday.”

The planned move follows weeks of speculation over the next political destination of Obi and Kwankwaso, particularly in the wake of recent Supreme Court developments affecting opposition parties and internal party structures.

The Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Buba Galadima, made the declaration Saturday in Abuja, during the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement Summit, where supporters and political stakeholders gathered to discuss opposition unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Galadima emphasised that key opposition figures, including former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and his Kano State counterpart, Rabiu Kwankwaso, would announce a new political platform on Monday.

Although he did not name the platform, sources close to the former governors hinted that both leaders were concluding arrangements to join a newly floated political party, the Nigeria Democratic Congress, reportedly linked to former Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Seriake Dickson.

According to Galadima, both Obi, Kwankwaso and their chieftains were on ground on Friday and this morning (Saturday) and signed the relevant documents with Senator Dickson and the NDC leaders.

“We don’t want a repeat of what happened in the ADC to occur again”, said Galadima, warning supporters to brace up for what he described as coordinated attacks and disruptions that could trail the announcement.

He said, “As from Monday, when our leaders declare on which platform they will run, I want to tell you that one of two things will happen. And I’m here to guide you on your response to what will happen.“

First, they will sponsor columnists. Two, they will deploy social media influencers to start attacking our candidates. For all of you who are on social media and those you with the mighty pen, you must be prepared to respond to anything they are going to say.“

Anything under the sun that they may say about our leaders that we know very well, people of integrity and honour, we must come to them with the ferociousness that is needed of an intelligent man.”

Also speaking at the event, Isaac Fayose, brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, expressed support for the proposed Obi-Kwankwaso alliance, describing it as a viable alternative.

“I am not a politician and don’t need to join your political party. But let me say that O-K (Obi-Kwankwaso) is okay for me. And I am ready to lead.“

In the last election in Lagos, I was the returning officer in Ibeju-Lekki. They came with so many things. But at the end of the day, the votes were so much that they couldn’t change the results.

“This time, I can tell you that we have already won in 28 out of 36 states. These 28 are already O-K. They are ready to vote. So it is up to them to say this time, you can’t steal our votes. And we have to be ready for that because it is easy to vote.”

Also speaking, the Director-General of the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, John Ughulu, expressed optimism about the movement’s growing reach, saying Nigerians are poised to take over governance in 2027.

He said: “The movement has already spread like wildfire across the 36 states of the federation.”

Activist Aisha Yesufu, who also addressed the gathering, called for unity across ethnic and regional lines, urging Nigerians to prioritise national cohesion over division.

She said, “It is time for us to become a nation that is working. The next time they say to you that this is an Igbo, Hausa or Yoruba person, tell them indeed, we are all Nigerians.“

“We must unite right now. When they tell you about the generational hatred, ask them, where did it lead you to? Where has it also led Nigeria? We are brothers and sisters. We must not forget that.”

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, on Saturday formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), alongside loyalists aligned with the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the party.

The governor announced his decision at the Government House in Bauchi during a well-attended event, where he was flanked by the APM National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, senior government officials, and party stakeholders.

” After extensive consultation, we have taken a firm and strategic decision to join the Allied Peoples Movement,” the governor declared.

He explained that the defection was driven by the need to reposition politically ahead of the fast-approaching 2027 elections, emphasizing the importance of providing a credible platform for his supporters.

“This is guided by one overriding objective: to secure victory in both states and continue to serve our people with utmost integrity, effectively mobilise our supporters and present a coherent and credible alternative to the people,” he said.

The Supreme Court has restored David Mark -led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) party in a unanimous decision by a five-member panel headed by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba.

The apex court in its judgement delivered today, held that the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal acted beyond its jurisdiction by unilaterally issuing such an order after it had already dismissed a case that was brought before it by one of the factions.

“Giving such an order in an appeal it had already dismissed was unnecessary, unwarranted and improper,” the Supreme Court held.

It held that the appeal that was filed before it by Senator David Mark succeeded in part, even as it dismissed the aspect that challenged an ex parte order the Federal High Court made for service of processes in the suit filed by aggrieved members of the party.

It held that the appeal that was filed before it by Senator David Mark succeeded in part, even as it dismissed the aspect that challenged an ex parte order the Federal High Court made for service of processes in the suit filed by aggrieved members of the party.

The apex court directed the factions to return to the trial court for continuation of hearing of the case.

It will be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had removed Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its portal and website as ADC National Chairman and Secretary, respectively, on April 1, citing the Court of Appeal’s judgment.

The electoral body said it would, in line with the order for maintenance of the status quo ante bellum, not recognise any of the warring factions until the legal dispute is determined.