Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Supporters of former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and ex-Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso have officially launched a joint political pressure group, the Obi-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement, as a coalition of political forces within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) intensifies efforts to forge a common front ahead of the party’s presidential primaries.
The movement, announced in Abuja on Monday, has already established structures across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, appointing state and zonal coordinators to drive grassroots mobilisation for a potential joint ticket in the 2027 general elections. The initiative signals a strategic realignment within the ADC as prominent opposition figures jostle for the party’s presidential ticket.
The OK Movement, as described by its National Publicity Secretary Justin Ijeh, is a coalition drawing members from the Obidient Movement, Kwankwasiyya, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), and the African Democratic Congress itself. Ijeh framed the movement as a response to the nation’s mounting challenges, stating that Nigeria stands at a defining crossroads amid economic hardship, a soaring cost of living, and persistent insecurity.
He described the unveiling of the movement’s structures as the birth of a coordinated, nationwide engine for systemic reform and national rebirth, positioning the OK Movement as a home for all well-meaning Nigerians who reject the politics of tribalism, regionalism, and religious sentiment.
The movement aims to mirror the grassroots appeal of the Obidient Movement, which reshaped Nigeria’s political landscape during the 2023 elections through organic, youth-driven mobilisation.
The emergence of the OK Movement comes against a backdrop of intense competition for the ADC’s presidential ticket. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former governors Rotimi Amaechi, Aminu Tambuwal, Nasir El-Rufai, alongside Obi and Kwankwaso, have all indicated interest in becoming the party’s standard-bearer.
Atiku, in a controversial interview, insisted he would not step down for any aspirant, a stance that has triggered unease among supporters of other leading figures within the coalition. The former vice president also dismissed the chances of other northern aspirants, stating that none matched his level of political experience. This rivalry has heightened uncertainty within the opposition coalition, prompting supporters of Obi and Kwankwaso to consolidate their own base ahead of the primaries.
The push for an Obi-Kwankwaso joint ticket has been gaining momentum for months. Following Kwankwaso’s defection to the ADC in March 2026, camps of both leaders confirmed ongoing discussions that could lead to a joint presidential ticket. Proponents of the Obi-Kwankwaso alliance argue that the combination of Obi’s massive followership, through the Obidient and Village Boys Movements, and Kwankwaso’s strong base in the mainly Muslim northern Nigeria makes the ticket a formidable force capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Kwankwasiyya Movement has also publicly asserted that only Obi and Kwankwaso enjoy organic support not induced by elite influence. In a statement, the movement said it is only Peter Obi and Kwankwaso who have organic followers that are not induced by anything, distinguishing them from other aspirants whose strength is driven by party structures and elite backing.
The launch of the OK Movement is also taking place amid a deepening leadership crisis within the ADC. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently derecognised the David Mark-led leadership of the party, creating legal and political uncertainty. The ADC has denied reports of a “Plan B” involving the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), even as some political figures have reportedly reached out to the PRP as a contingency.
The crisis has effectively left the party without a recognised national leadership, with three rival factions advancing competing constitutional claims ahead of the Supreme Court hearing scheduled for April 22, 2026. Despite these challenges, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, has expressed confidence that the coalition will continue to expand, with more political heavyweights expected to join following Kwankwaso’s inclusion.
When contacted, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr Yunusa Tanko, confirmed that the OK Movement is working in alignment with existing Obi support structures toward a joint presidential ticket under the ADC. Tanko stated that there is no division between the OK Movement and The Village Boys Movement, as they are all working for the same purpose.
As the ADC prepares for its primaries, the OK Movement’s ability to navigate internal rivalries and present a unified front could prove decisive in shaping the opposition’s challenge to President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
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