Leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) are making frantic efforts to prevent the planned defection of former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi and the former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso from the opposition party.

Multiple sources within the party told Sunday Sun last night that Obi and Kwankwaso are seriously considering an exit from the ADC to anotherr political platform this week in pursuit of their quest to contest for the presidential poll in the 2027 general election.

One of the sources confirmed to our correspondent that plans by both men to defect from the ADC have reached an advanced stage, noting that barring any last minute change, they are expected to make an official declaration to that effect within the week. The source noted that while the duo have not stated their grouse with the ADC coalition, it might not be unconnected with concerns over the party’s presidential ticket.

The ADC was unveiled in July 2025 by key opposition politicians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Obi, former Rivers governor, Rotimi Amaechi, former Senate President David Mark, and former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola among others as the “coalition party” for the 2027 polls. Kwankwaso joined the opposition party recently, following his defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party(NNPP).

So far, Atiku, Obi, Amaechi and Kwankwaso are known to be interested in the ADC 2027 presidential ticket. Nonetheless, the Obidient Movement, which is the umbrella body for the supporters of the former Anambra governor, as well as supporters of Kwankwaso, on the platform of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, unveiled the OK (Obi-Kwankwaso) Movement, indicating the likelihood of a collaboration between the two politicians in the run-up to the ADC primaries.

A leader of the ADC, who also confirmed to Sunday Sun that Obi and Kwankwaso are actually considering an exit from the “coalition”, noted that party leaders are working round the clock to ensure they do not leave the party. He expressed optimism that whatever the grievances of the two leaders might be, they would eventually be resolved. According to him “there are internal moves to resolve the matter. A lot of work is going on. We hope that by the time they are done, it will be resolved. “

However, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi told Sunday Sun that talks about the planned defection of Obi and Kwankwaso were still speculative.

Said he: “For us, it is still at the realm of speculation. We have not seen any official announcement to that effect. When that happens we will respond accordingly.”

Abdullahi, while confirming that party leaders were actually reaching out to the two, said it was not to prevent the duo from dumping the coalition, noting that party leaders were reaching out to them to know their actual positions on the issue.

Said he: “It is not to prevent them from moving out, but to understand what their real position is beyond what is in the rumour mill. So, party leaders and critical stakeholders are reaching out to them to know what exactly their positions are. It depends on what they say. But it will be within their right to do so.”

On his part, founding National Chairman of the ADC, Chief Okey Nwosu, expressed confidence in the ability of the party leadership to resolve whatever issue they might be, noting that if their concern is the presidential nomination, the party had already put in place measures to ensure a transparent nomination exercise.

According to him, “the National chairman and the current leaders are very experienced and patriotic Nigerians and they are going to be able to deal with it. But one thing that was clear from the beginning is that the party agreed that if we are not able to reach a consensus, we are going to do a very transparent primary. “ (The Sun)