PORT HARCOURT/Nigeria: A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has described the defection of former Kano State Governor and leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to the ADC as a major political setback for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Eze, in a statement issued on Tuesday, said Kwankwaso’s move signals a shifting political tide that could undermine Tinubu’s re-election ambitions, accusing the current administration of plunging Nigerians into hardship and economic distress.
He described Kwankwaso as a grassroots politician with wide appeal, noting that his entry into the ADC strengthens the party’s growing coalition aimed at unseating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“By joining the ADC, Kwankwaso has delivered a heavy political blow to President Tinubu’s re-election bid. This defection, driven by patriotism and the need to salvage the country from poor governance, is a bad omen for Tinubu and his allies,” Eze stated.
According to him, efforts by supporters of the President to forestall the defection failed because Kwankwaso recognised the depth of the nation’s challenges and the urgency of building a formidable opposition coalition.
“Kwankwaso understands that the country is bleeding, citizens are suffering, and the only viable pathway to change is through a united coalition movement capable of dislodging the current administration,” he added.
Eze further described the former governor as a “political tsunami” whose presence in the ADC would significantly boost the party’s electoral strength and national reach.
He commended Kwankwaso for aligning with what he termed a coalition of experienced and influential political figures within the ADC, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
“With the calibre of leaders now in the ADC, Nigerians can see a disciplined mix of coalition-builders with credibility and electoral value. This development places Tinubu on the exit corridor of Aso Rock,” Eze said.
The former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) cautioned against complacency, noting that defeating an incumbent government requires unity, strategic planning and sustained effort.
“Voting out an incumbent is not child’s play. However, Tinubu’s performance over the past years has made it easier for a credible alternative like the ADC to emerge. We must not squander this opportunity,” he said.
Eze urged members of the ADC to remain united ahead of the party’s primaries, stressing that Nigerians are looking up to the party for credible leadership and national rescue.
Kwankwaso formally joined the ADC on Monday at Gidan Kwankwasiyya, Miller Road, Bompai, Kano, where he registered and received his membership card in the presence of top party leaders.
Those in attendance included former Senate President and ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark; ADC National Secretary and former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi; former Sokoto State Governor, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; Senator Dino Melaye; former APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; and former Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha.
