NDC Says Aspirants Won’t Be Allowed to Ride on Obi, Kwankwaso Popularity Wave

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has declared that it will not allow political aspirants to exploit the popularity and political influence of Labour Party’s Peter Obi and former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso merely to secure electoral victories ahead of the 2027 general elections.  

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, made the statement during an interview on Channels Television while reacting to concerns that some politicians may attempt to leverage the growing influence of opposition figures within the emerging coalition movement.  

According to him, the NDC has already learnt important lessons from the political developments that followed the 2023 general elections, particularly the experiences of the Labour Party and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), where relatively unknown candidates reportedly gained office on the popularity of Obi and Kwankwaso before later defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).  

Director stated that the party has introduced stricter screening mechanisms to ensure only credible aspirants with genuine political structures, grassroots support and ideological alignment emerge under the NDC platform. He explained that aspirants are now being subjected to deeper questioning regarding their political history, vision and commitment to the party.  

“As you have said, probably to ride on the Obi-Kwankwaso wave,” the spokesman said while discussing politicians who joined parties during previous elections mainly because of public sentiment and mass popularity around certain presidential candidates.  

He further argued that electoral success cannot rely solely on association with high-profile political figures, insisting that candidates must demonstrate visible grassroots structures and political credibility within their constituencies. According to him, the party intends to avoid situations where opportunistic politicians emerge during election seasons only to abandon the platform afterward.  

The comments come amid increasing political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, with several opposition politicians reportedly gravitating toward the NDC following speculation about broader coalition talks involving major opposition figures. Peter Obi and Kwankwaso remain among the most influential opposition politicians after their strong performances during the 2023 presidential election.  

Political analysts believe the NDC’s position reflects growing concerns among opposition parties about preserving ideological identity and preventing mass defections after elections. The development also highlights the intense strategic calculations already shaping Nigeria’s 2027 political landscape.