The Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Buba Galadima, on Saturday hinted at an imminent political realignment, disclosing 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.
Galadima made the disclosure at a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement in Abuja, amid growing uncertainty over the future of opposition coalitions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Although he did not name the platform, The PUNCH gathered from sources close to the former governors 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.
A source in the camp of the opposition leaders, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also confirmed the development.
He said, “Both Obi, Kwankwaso and their chieftains were on ground between yesterday and this morning signing 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. We discovered late that Atiku and his loyalists lured our leaders to that opposition party to fulfil only one single mission – Atiku’s presidential ambition.
“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.
Addressing journalists, Galadima warned supporters to brace 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.”
The NNPP chieftain further urged supporters, especially those active online, to respond strategically to criticism.
“For all of you who are on social media and those with the mighty pen, you must be prepared to respond to anything they are going to say. I’m sorry to bring up something that is not on the table, but I’m doing it as an example. If you have been following the US and the Iran war, you will remember that the US and Israel attacked first, and Iran responded.
