By Matthew Denis
Former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has asked members of the Kwankwasiyya movement to get fully prepared for the 2027 general elections after officially joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Kwankwaso spoke at his Miller Road residence in Kano shortly after receiving his ADC membership card. During the gathering, he urged his supporters to quickly complete their registration with the party and also prepare for possible challenges during the election period.
The former Kano Central senator, who recently left the NNPP, told his followers to stay ready to protect their votes and remain at polling units until counting is completed. Speaking in Hausa, he warned that they must be prepared for every possible situation during the election.
“Let me, on behalf of my hundreds of followers, my family, the Kano family, and the entire people of this state and all our supporters across the country, welcome our august visitors. We appreciate Almighty Allah for making this historic day possible because, when we were committed, we decided collectively to join the ADC.
“I am so happy today that I have collected my membership card for ADC. And by taking this card, I am advising all of you to go back and immediately register. I am aware that many of you, during the celebration, have decided to start registration, which is commendable. Those who have not registered should go and do so.
“And let me also remind you that by April 1, in the next couple of days, INEC will begin voter registration. You must ensure you register—not only with the party but also with INEC to complete the process. You must prepare for any eventuality to defend your votes,” Kwankwaso said.
Kwankwaso also asked his loyalists to begin a strong membership drive for the ADC and make sure they reactivate their voter registration ahead of the next election.
His move to the ADC came as a surprise to many political watchers because he had earlier rejected calls for him to join the party. At the time, he had complained that the ADC included some of his political rivals, among them former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Sokoto State governor Aminu Tambuwal.
Despite that earlier position, Kwankwaso was seen smiling and interacting warmly with many of the same politicians during the event.
ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark, welcomed Kwankwaso and his supporters into the party. Mark noted that the decision by the former NNPP leader to join the ADC was an important step for opposition parties ahead of the 2027 election.
“There is no doubt that the ruling party, the APC, represents a serious threat to multiparty democracy in Nigeria today. At a time when Nigeria should be strengthening its democracy, we are witnessing a dangerous drift toward weakening the opposition. Your joining the ADC represents our collective resolve to align with the people.
“The ruling party is determined to leave the people with no choice. Nigerians must have a choice. Nigerians must have the right to choose. In a democracy, participation is everything, and anything done to restrict participation is a direct attack on democracy and must be resisted through all lawful means.
“What we are witnessing today is one of those lawful means. It is our way of saying no to totalitarian tendencies in Nigeria. It is a way of saying, let the people decide. By coming together, we are sending a clear message that the future of Nigeria cannot be built through domination; it must be built through participation. Leadership cannot be sustained by control; it must be earned through trust.
“The African Democratic Congress now stands as the rallying point of a new national movement, a movement of inclusion, competence, integrity, and progress. A movement not powered by coercion, but by ordinary Nigerians determined to reclaim their country,” Mark declared.
Several top political figures attended the event, including former governors Rauf Aregbesola and Emeka Ihedioha, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal, and former Director-General of the Department of State Services, Lawal Daura.