Former governors Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso have stepped up efforts to secure a joint presidential ticket under the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 elections, party sources said.
The two politicians are lobbying northern leaders to support a one-term power rotation arrangement that would see a southern candidate serve a single term, according to multiple insiders who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly.
The move is widely seen as an attempt to consolidate northern backing for a southern presidency and to weaken support for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar before the party’s primaries.
Sources said the proposal includes backing Obi for a single four-year term if the arrangement succeeds, with Kwankwaso positioned as a potential successor in 2031.
The consultations come as the ADC faces an internal leadership dispute and awaits a ruling from the Supreme Court. Despite the uncertainty, presidential hopefuls within the party have continued to mobilize support across regions.
In recent weeks, Kwankwaso’s allies have intensified outreach to traditional rulers and key northern stakeholders, including those opposed to a second term for President Bola Tinubu. They have urged northern leaders to support the South in completing what they describe as its expected eight-year turn in power.
Supporters of Obi and Kwankwaso on April 20 launched the Obi–Kwankwaso Movement to promote the joint ticket ahead of the party primaries.
Atiku, who served as vice president from 1999 to 2007 under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has said the 2027 election will be his final bid for the presidency.
A party insider said the Obi-Kwankwaso alliance has made inroads among some northern leaders, persuading them to reconsider earlier plans to back Atiku.
“What we’re canvassing is fairness — the South should be allowed to complete its eight years,” the source said, adding that efforts were underway to formalize Obi’s one-term commitment to reassure northern stakeholders.
A former lawmaker from Kwara State and supporter of Atiku acknowledged the outreach but described it as routine political maneuvering. He said Kwankwaso was leading efforts to rally northern leaders and could be positioning himself for a future presidential run.
“We know their moves, but this is normal politics,” the former lawmaker said, adding that party aspirants were expected to unite behind whoever emerges as the candidate.
The National Publicity Secretary of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Ladipo Johnson, declined to comment.
Meanwhile, Mark Adebayo, spokesperson for the Coalition of United Political Parties, said Atiku faces growing resistance within the ADC as southern aspirants court influential northern figures, including former governors Aminu Tambuwal and Nasir El-Rufai.
However, Adebayo expressed doubt that Atiku could be outmaneuvered, citing his longstanding influence within the party.
An ADC chieftain also said other contenders, including Rotimi Amaechi, are consulting widely to build support among northern delegates.
The National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, said consultations among aspirants were normal and that the party would seek to produce its candidate through consensus.
Efforts to reach Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, and the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, were unsuccessful.
