Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The political temperature within the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) is approaching a boiling point as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar faces an unprecedented wave of pressure to relinquish his long-held presidential ambition.
The emergence of a powerful joint ticket comprising former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso is rapidly reshaping the political landscape, leaving Atiku isolated and fighting for political survival.
Insiders report that the fresh political offensive is aimed squarely at weakening Atiku’s grip on the opposition and preventing a repeat of the fragmented 2023 general election, where a divided opposition handed victory to President Bola Tinubu.
A high-stakes realignment is unfolding, with Obi and Kwankwaso aggressively courting northern power brokers using a strategic "one-term" deal. They are proposing that Obi would serve only a single term if elected, promising to hand over power to a northern candidate, possibly Kwankwaso himself, in 2031. By framing the arrangement as a matter of regional fairness, the alliance hopes to persuade northern stakeholders that supporting a southern presidency is a strategic necessity.
The newly formed Obi‑Kwankwaso (OK) Movement has emerged as a formidable force, bringing together the grassroots Obidient and Kwankwassiyya movements. Spokesperson Habibu Mohammad confirmed that Kwankwaso is prepared to deputise Obi and that the alliance is ready to resist monetised influence in the primaries.
The court of public opinion is also turning against the former vice president. Senator Victor Umeh has argued that Atiku, a respected figure who has run for president since 2003, should step aside for a younger generation. Media personality Jimi Disu echoed this, warning that a 2027 rematch between Atiku and President Tinubu would end in disaster for the opposition.
However, Atiku remains defiant, insisting that none of his opponents can match his electoral strength, particularly in the North. He has dismissed Kwankwaso’s influence as limited to Kano, which he claims is now politically divided. While he has not outright rejected the push for a new generation, he has stated that he will step aside for a candidate who emerges through a democratic process. "Yes, I will step aside for any winner," Atiku stated, adding that if Obi is a contender, "why not?".
With no side showing signs of yielding, the ADC now faces a volatile direct primary rather than the negotiated settlement many party leaders had hoped for. The coming weeks will be the final test of whether the Obi-Kwankwaso strategy can overcome Atiku’s deep political entrenchment and reshape the opposition’s structure ahead of the 2027 elections. The ADC primary is no longer merely a contest for a party ticket; it is a battle for the very soul of the opposition.
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