4th May 2026, NewsOrient, Politics, News, Governance And Development. Photo Credit: Channels Television

Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party Presidential candidate and Rabiu Kwankwaso, the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), have defected to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

The defection was formalized on Sunday, 3rd May 2026 in Abuja.

​NDC Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, announced the defections at a press conference in Abuja, which was attended by both Obi and Kwankwaso.

Dickson said “the partnership of Obi and Kwankwaso would make Nigeria “OK,” using the abbreviation of their surnames.

Dickson, who described Obi and Kwankwaso as “very qualified,” said with both leaders, “Nigeria will be OK and new again.”

Dickson said: “On behalf of the leaders of our party and on behalf of the teeming members of our party, well-meaning Nigerians from all over our country, who in the five months have defied all odds and conquered all doubts, and invested their trust and confidence in the dream and vision of this party.

“On behalf of all of them, I thank you all, and I welcome you all, especially to the NDC and my humble home.”

Assuring that “though young, the NDC was ready to “box above its weight,” Dickson said to Obi, Kwankwaso and their associates and supporters:

“I welcome you to Nigeria’s fastest-growing political party. I welcome you all to Nigeria’s most stable political party.

“I welcome you all to a party that has no faction, to a party that has no litigation whatsoever. I also want to welcome you all to a party that does not know what is called status quo ante bellum.”

In his address, Obi said he and Kwankwaso “would collaborate with NDC stakeholders to build a Nigeria that works for everyone.”

He also urged the government not to interfere with the NDC, alleging past interferences with the NNPP, Labour Party, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

He also said: “Please, let there be no litigation. Party members, please, don’t go to court. What we want is a party. Women and children will be proud of this party.

‘This party will form a government that will rescue Nigeria, will form a government to ensure that Nigerians can live in Nigeria without living in fear, to ensure that a mother will no longer cry for a child that left for school and will not return,” the former governor said.

“We will ensure that Nigerians will no longer go to bed in their millions, not knowing where the next meal will come from the next day.

“We don’t want to spend our time in litigation and fighting ourselves. We want to spend our time dealing with issues that affect the ordinary Nigerian,” he said.

In his own address, Kwankwaso said the NDC’s ideology, which focuses on education and empowerment, aligns with his own ideology.

He also called on all Nigerians to register with the NDC as soon as possible.

Kwankwaso declared that his camp had commenced registration with NDC immediately.

​Other top politicians present at the unveiling included Aisha Binani, the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2023 governorship candidate for Adamawa; Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central Senatorial District; and Kwankwaso’s close ally, Buba Galadima.

~ Published By NewsOrient Network

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