ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-Former Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Buba Galadima, on Saturday hinted at an impending political realignment, revealing that key opposition figures, including former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and his Kano State counterpart, Rabiu Kwankwaso, are expected to announce a new political platform on Monday.
Galadima made the disclosure during a stakeholders meeting organised by the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement in Abuja, amid growing uncertainty over opposition coalitions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Although he did not mention the platform, sources close to the former governors said that both leaders were finalising arrangements to join a newly formed political party, the Nigeria Democratic Congress, reportedly linked to former Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Seriake Dickson.
A source within the opposition camp, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the development.
He said, “Both Obi, Kwankwaso and their chieftains were on ground between yesterday and this morning signing the relevant documents with Senator Dickson and the NDC leaders.
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“We don’t want a repeat of what happened in the ADC to occur again. We discovered late that Atiku and his loyalists lured our leaders to that opposition party to fulfil only one single mission – Atiku’s presidential ambition.
“All is now set. Both Obi and Kwankwaso will announce their defection from the ADC on Monday.”
The planned move comes after weeks of speculation over the political future of Obi and Kwankwaso, particularly following recent Supreme Court rulings affecting opposition parties and internal structures.
Addressing journalists, Galadima warned supporters to prepare for what he described as coordinated attacks following the announcement.
He said, “As from Monday, when our leaders declare on which platform they will run, I want to tell you that one of two things will happen. And I’m here to guide you on your response to what will happen.
“First, they will sponsor columnists. Two, they will deploy social media influencers to start attacking our candidates. For all of you who are on social media and those you with the mighty pen, you must be prepared to respond to anything they are going to say.
“Anything under the sun that they may say about our leaders that we know very well, people of integrity and honour, we must come to them with the ferociousness that is needed of an intelligent man.”
The NNPP chieftain further urged supporters to respond strategically to criticism.
“For all of you who are on social media and those with the mighty pen, you must be prepared to respond to anything they are going to say. I’m sorry to bring up something that is not on the table, but I’m doing it as an example. If you have been following the US and the Iran war, you will remember that the US and Israel attacked first, and Iran responded.
“The analogy I’m going to draw here is that don’t call anybody any name until they call our leaders names. Then we will respond with the greatest might of intellect in us. These are people who are living in their comfort zones, and they want to start a war. We will help them add kerosene. We are already lying flat on the floor. Are we afraid to fall? So over to them.”
Galadima alleged that opposition leaders have faced sustained pressure, claiming that security agencies have targeted and detained them as part of a broader crackdown.
He further said a second phase involved weakening opposition platforms, listing parties such as the SDP, PDP, ADC, NDP and PRP as having been “decimated.”
He warned that the situation could worsen, alleging that desperate political actors might resort to extreme measures against opposition figures.
Also speaking at the event, Isaac Fayose, brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, expressed support for the proposed Obi-Kwankwaso alliance, describing it as a viable alternative.
“I am not a politician and don’t need to join your political party. But let me say that O-K (Obi-Kwankwaso) is okay for me. And I am ready to lead.
“In the last election in Lagos, I was the returning officer in Ibeju-Lekki. They came with so many things. But at the end of the day, the votes were so much that they couldn’t change the results.
“This time, I can tell you that we have already won in 28 out of 36 states. These 28 are already O-K. They are ready to vote. So it is up to them to say this time, you can’t steal our votes. And we have to be ready for that because it is easy to vote.
“Election is always like garri. By the time you put water, come back the next day, the garri will rise. This time, our garri will not swell up.
As they are putting water, we will be drinking it like that. We have to be strong in a country where we have N70,000 as minimum wage,” he stated.
Activist Aisha Yesufu, who also spoke at the gathering, called for unity across ethnic and regional lines, urging Nigerians to prioritise national cohesion over division.
She said, “It is time for us to become a nation that is working. The next time they say to you that this is an Igbo, Hausa or Yoruba person, tell them indeed, we are all Nigerians.
“Today, I will say to you all that the education and voices we have are not for us alone. They are for millions of others who didn’t have the opportunities that we have. If not, at the end of the day, we will be asked questions.
“We must unite right now. When they tell you about the generational hatred, ask them, where did it lead you to? Where has it also led Nigeria? We are brothers and sisters. We must not forget that.”