A former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, has formally defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The event was witnessed by party chieftains and a large crowd of supporters, mainly from the Kwankwasiyya Movement.

Among the prominent personalities present were former Senate President and ADC National Chairman, David Mark; the party’s National Secretary and former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; and former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi.

Others included former Sokoto State governor, Senator Aminu Tambuwal; former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Senator Dino Melaye; former APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; and former Imo State governor, Emeka Ihedioha.

Following his registration, Kwankwaso posted on his X handle: “New Dawn. We are ADC.”

His defection came a day after he announced his resignation from the NNPP, under which he contested the presidency in 2023 and finished fourth.

Kwankwaso said his decision was based on what he described as the “current trajectory of the nation’s political landscape, which calls for strategic realignment.”

“I wish to formally announce my resignation from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) with immediate effect. I seize this opportunity to express my profound gratitude for the honour and privilege of serving as the Party’s National Leader and its Presidential Candidate in the 2023 General Elections.

“As a committed and bona fide member of the party, this was not an easy decision to make. However, considering the current trajectory of the nation’s political landscape, which calls for strategic realignment, I have found it necessary to identify with another political platform that offers the best opportunity to effectively change the nation,” the statement he personally signed on Sunday partly read.

Kwankwaso is the latest among top challengers of President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 election to join the ADC, which the opposition coalition adopted last year as its umbrella platform to challenge the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who came second in the last election, had earlier joined the party.

Before his official defection, Kwankwaso held meetings with leading figures in the ADC, including Atiku, Obi, and Aregbesola.

With his influence, the NNPP’s candidate, Abba Yusuf, won the Kano State governorship election, defeating the APC in the keenly contested polls. However, a political fallout later saw Gov. Yusuf defect to the APC.

With Kwankwaso now in the ADC, Kano is again emerging as a key battleground ahead of the 2027 elections.