Ibrahim Abdulkarim, director‑general of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), urged former Vice‑President Atiku Abubakar and other opposition leaders to join the coalition supporting Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as the country prepares for the 2027 presidential election. He said a united front is essential if the opposition hopes to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Why is the opposition seeking unity?
Abdulkarim explained that the NDC is already shaping a joint platform, with Obi positioned as its presidential candidate and Kwankwaso agreeing to collaborate. “The opposition has to come together for us to win. The opposition have already come together. Nobody said the coalition must happen on ADC. It can happen in NDC, and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has already dropped his ambition,” he told Arise News.
Who is being invited to the alliance?
The campaign chief said Atiku and other dissenting figures are welcome to broaden the coalition’s national reach. “What we are asking for is for other people to join us, including former Vice‑President Atiku Abubakar, to join all of us, so at least we will have the spread that they think they can add,” he added.
How does the NDC differentiate itself from support groups?
When critics compared the party’s structure to the “Obidient” movement and other pro‑Obi support groups, Abdulkarim rejected the analogy. “How can you compare a party with a support group? We don’t have any problem. They’re all part of the NDC party. We have more than a thousand support groups like that,” he said.
What assurances are given about electoral integrity?
Addressing fears of vote‑rigging, Abdulkarim promised that the NDC has devised a “unique and serious programme” to safeguard ballots in the 2027 polls. He pledged a peaceful, nationwide campaign that will reach every corner of the country and restore confidence among voters who feel disenfranchised.
What is the NDC’s campaign promise?
“We are going to do our campaign peacefully. We are going to go into every corner,” Abdulkarim affirmed, adding, “I can promise anybody, anybody that feels he wants his vote to count, we have a very, very unique and serious programme that we have put in place.”
The statements were made during an interview with Arise News, and no official response from Atiku Abubakar or the APC has been reported at the time of writing.