Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has intensified political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 general elections, making a fresh push to bring two major opposition figures, Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, under its platform for a possible joint presidential ticket.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recognised the Shehu Gabam-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
This drew the ire of the former Presidential Candidate of the SDP, Adewole Adebayo, who came down hard on the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, warning that recent actions by the Commission were reinforcing public suspicion of external interference in Nigeria’s electoral process.
In a post on X yesterday, NDC signalled what it described as a tight window for political realignment, stating: “All we need right now; just all we need. Two weeks to deadline,” alongside an image of both politicians shaking hands with the caption, “Nigeria will be OK.”
The message has further stirred speculation over emerging coalition talks within Nigeria’s opposition space, especially as realignments gain momentum ahead of the next electoral cycle.
In recent weeks, supporters of both Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso have reportedly launched a joint mobilisation effort, the ‘OK Movement’, aimed at promoting a possible alliance between the two figures for the 2027 presidential race. The movement is said to be expanding its structures across several states and geopolitical zones, further fuelling expectations of a broader opposition coalition.
The unfolding developments come amid continued uncertainty within opposition parties. The African Democratic Congress (ADC), in particular, remains embroiled in leadership disputes, with a related case still pending before the Supreme Court, which recently reserved judgment on factional claims within the party.
At the same time, INEC has fixed May 30, 2026, as the deadline for political parties to submit membership registers and conclude candidate nominations for the 2027 elections.
INEC, in an updated upload on its official website, and following further checks with the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, and the Commission’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Etta-Messi, yesterday, confirmed the electoral body’s decision.
On its website, beneath the party’s displayed name and logo, INEC listed Gabam as National Chairman, while Olu Agunloye was named National Secretary.
Other NWC members listed on the website include National Treasurer, Maggie Mariam; and National Legal Adviser, Aderemi Abimbola. However, the National Secretary was not listed.
In bold inscription, INEC stated “By Court Order” in front of the names of members of the executive. The development follows a recent judgment by the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, which affirmed Gabam as the authentic National Chairman of the party.
REACTING to the removal of Prof. Sadiq Gombe’s name from INEC’s website and its replacement with Gabam’s as SDP National Chairman, Adebayo described the development as troubling and politically consequential.
“To allow himself to confirm what has been suspected of him – that he is not running INEC to achieve competitive elections, he is just a drone being flown from the villa,” he said.
Adebayo argued that the move, coming amid conflicting signals about party leadership, raises serious questions about whether the electoral body is acting independently.
“These kinds of inconsistencies only deepen an already troubling perception – that decisions may not be entirely institutional,” he added.
While INEC’s website reflects a National Working Committee led by Gabam, with several entries marked “By Court Order”, Adebayo dismissed the update as administratively irrelevant to determining party leadership.