ABUJA, Nigeria (FN), Supporters of former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso have launched a new political pressure group ahead of the 2027 general elections. Known as the Obi–Kwankwaso (OK) movement, the group was unveiled Monday amid growing speculation within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over who will secure the party’s presidential ticket.
Organizers said the OK movement is designed to strengthen collaboration between Obi and Kwankwaso’s supporters, both of whom have built strong grassroots networks in the southeast and northern regions. The initiative reflects ongoing realignments within Nigeria’s opposition parties as they prepare for the next election cycle.
The ADC has emerged as a potential platform for coalition politics, with internal debates intensifying over its presidential candidate. Analysts note that the launch of the OK movement signals an effort to consolidate influence and position the party as a credible alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Nigeria’s political landscape has seen similar alliances in the past. In 2019, several opposition figures formed the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) to challenge then‑President Muhammadu Buhari. In 2022, Obi himself left the PDP to join the Labour Party, where he ran for president in 2023, drawing significant youth support. Kwankwaso contested under the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), also gaining traction in the north.
Reactions to the new movement have been mixed. Supporters hailed it as a strategic partnership that could reshape opposition politics, while critics questioned whether the coalition could overcome ideological differences and personal ambitions. Political observers say the success of the OK movement will depend on whether it can translate enthusiasm into a unified structure capable of competing nationally.
