Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Wednesday paid a courtesy visit to the residence of former Kano State governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, in a move that underscores growing political realignments within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The visit comes just days after Kwankwaso officially defected to the ADC, marking a significant shift in Nigeria’s opposition landscape ahead of future elections.
Sharing details of the meeting on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Atiku described the engagement as productive, noting that both leaders held “quality discussions” focused on strengthening the party and charting a path toward good governance.
“I paid a courtesy visit to the residence of my brother and partner, His Excellency Rabiu Kwankwaso, this afternoon,” Atiku wrote. “We had robust discussions on the progress of our party, the ADC, and how we must continue the work to ensure good governance and national recovery for the Nigerian people.”
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Kwankwaso, a former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), also confirmed the visit in a separate post, expressing appreciation to Atiku for facilitating his entry into the party.
He reiterated his commitment to the ADC’s success, stating that he and his supporters remain fully dedicated to securing victories for the party at all levels.
“I used the opportunity to personally thank the Wazirin Adamawa for his warm reception into the ADC and to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to delivering victory for the party,” Kwankwaso said.
The high-profile meeting was attended by several prominent ADC figures, including former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal; former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye; Alhaji Kashim Imam; and Alhaji Adamu Waziri, among others.
Kwankwaso’s defection from the NNPP, where he was the party’s presidential flag bearer in the 2023 general election, has been widely viewed as a major boost to the ADC. His political base, the Kwankwasiyya movement, is expected to significantly strengthen the party’s grassroots appeal, particularly in northern Nigeria.
Welcoming him into the party earlier this week, ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark, described the development as a “defining moment” for Nigeria’s democracy. He noted that Kwankwaso’s entry — alongside millions of loyal supporters — signals the emergence of a formidable opposition force.
Mark also stressed the need for unity among opposition parties, warning that failure to consolidate efforts could pave the way for a gradual drift toward a one-party system under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The meeting between Atiku and Kwankwaso is being interpreted by political observers as a strategic step toward consolidating opposition strength, potentially reshaping alliances ahead of the next electoral cycle.
