Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and former New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso have joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Their entry into the party was confirmed on Sunday at the NDC national secretariat in Abuja, where they were received by the party’s national leader and former Bayelsa State governor Seriake Dickson, alongside national chairman Moses Cleopas.
The move came hours after Mr Obi announced his exit from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing internal disputes, court cases and division within the party.
Obi had said the issues within the ADC were affecting the party’s ability to focus on national matters and service to Nigerians.
Speaking after joining the NDC, Obi urged party members to avoid legal disputes that could create problems ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Please let there be no litigation. Party members, please don’t go to court. We want to build a party, we are not lawyers,” he said.
Mr Kwankwaso said discussions with party stakeholders showed that both sides shared similar political beliefs and direction.
“We came to discuss with stakeholders of the party and found that our ideologies and beliefs are largely the same,” he said.
He also urged Nigerians to register with the party before the close of membership registration.
At the event, the party chairman presented membership cards to both leaders.
Party officials described the development as a sign of growing support for the NDC across the country.
Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso were presidential candidates in the 2023 general election under the Labour Party and NNPP respectively.
