Mark, Obi, Tambuwal, Amaechi, Others In Kano As Kwankwaso Joins ADC

…Kwankwaso: ADC not a threat, APC declares

The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark, led other party chieftains to formally receive a former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, into the party yesterday in Kano.

Kwankwaso, who resigned from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) on Sunday, registered with ADC at his Miller Road residence in Kano, and was issued membership number 000201 by the state chairman of the party.

The event was attended by several political figures, including former APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun; ex-Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; former Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha; and a former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, among others.

Mark, while welcoming the former governor and his supporters, described the development as a significant moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey, noting that it underscored ongoing efforts to build a united opposition front.

According to him, Kwankwaso’s entry into the ADC reflects a growing consensus among opposition leaders to work together in safeguarding the country’s multiparty democracy.

Mark, who accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of undermining democratic ideals, said “Your coming to the ADC is not merely a political move but a response to the call by Nigerians for unity among opposition leaders.”

In his remarks, Kwankwaso described the occasion as historic and thanked the party leadership for the reception. He urged his supporters nationwide to register with the ADC and also obtain their Permanent Voter Cards through the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of future elections.

He said, “Registration in the party is only part of the process. Nigerians must also register to vote in order to bring about the desired change,” he noted.

APC not Threatened by Kwankwaso’s Move to ADC — Kano Spokesman

Meanwhile, the Kano State chapter of the APC has said it is not threatened by Kwankwaso’s defection into ADC, describing the development as politically insignificant.

The party’s spokesperson, Auwal Soja, in a telephone interview told with our reporter, that the APC remains dominant in Kano and well-positioned ahead of future elections.

He claimed that over 80 per cent of members of the Kwankwasiyya movement had already aligned with the APC, stressing that the party does not see any formidable challenger on the horizon.

According to him, Kwankwaso himself would have been the only strong contender, but his exit leaves no figure with comparable political weight.

Soja, however, extended an invitation to the former governor to join the APC, describing it as the most viable platform going forward.

However, the ADC faction chairman, Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, has called on Kwankwaso to follow due process if he intends to join the party.

The party also emphasised that the ADC remains committed to democratic values and the welfare of Nigerians, insisting that the party is “not for sale” and cannot be taken over by any group seeking power for personal gain.

Gombe, in a statement issued yesterday, said the group, which described itself as the “authentic” ADC, said it holds respect for the former Kano State governor but is concerned about his alleged alignment with what it called a “coalition of political power mongers.”

Kwankwaso, a prominent figure in the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), was accused by the group of associating with individuals allegedly attempting to hijack the ADC for personal and political interests.

The group appealed to the former presidential candidate to reconsider his approach and join the party through legitimate and transparent means.

Gombe said: “The authentic African Democratic Congress under the leadership of Hon Nafiu Bala Gombe has stated that it holds respect for His Excellency Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso but is highly disappointed with his recent decamping from the NNPP to join a coalition of club of political power mongers who are currently fighting to hijack our political party, ADC.

“We are appealing to Kwankwaso to reconsider his political ultimate to join the African Democratic Congress through legitimate due process without aligning with the association of political jobbers who are desperate to acquire power anyhow to continue enriching themselves, family, and their associates.

“Please, Mr. Kwankwaso, if you truly want to join the African Democratic Congress, go to the proper channel of registering, except you have a hidden agenda.

“Those people you are trying to associate with have no respect for democracy, no sympathy for the poor and the general public, and yet ADC is not for sale, it is for Nigeria and Nigerians.