The National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Rabiu Kwankwaso, is delaying his defection to the African Democratic Congress months after engaging with the party leaders due to lack of assurance that former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, will secure the party’s presidential ticket, Sunday PUNCH has gathered.

Highly credible sources within the Kwankwasiya Movement, the political group of the former Kano governor, and the ADC told Sunday PUNCH that Kwankwaso’s defection was largely dependent on the arrangement.

There is currently a proposed alliance between Obi and Kwankwaso for a joint 2027 presidential ticket under the ADC.

According to top politicians familiar with the process, the plan was forged by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Sunday PUNCH learnt that a three-man committee set up by the ADC to interface with political bigwigs willing to join the party had met with Kwankwaso through a committee he also put in place.

A principal official of the ADC told our correspondent that the two committees met a few days ago in Abuja to finalise Kwankwaso’s defection.

According to the official, no final decision was taken due to unresolved issues at the meeting.

He, however, said both parties would reach a “strong conclusion in a week or two.”

“We’re closing in on Kwankwaso, and we will be happy to receive him. Our committee and his met a few days ago and they will meet next week to take, maybe, a strong decision and reach a strong conclusion. We’re still engaging, though there are some unresolved issues,” he added.

An Insider in the Kwankwaso camp acknowledged the meeting but said the former governor might not defect “anytime soon.”

He disclosed that some northern leaders and Obasanjo had cautioned Kwankwaso against rushing to the ADC.

The loyalist added that the leaders specifically warned Kwankwaso not to defect until there was an assurance that Obi would receive the presidential ticket.

The source said, “Many things are playing out, and some northern leaders and Obasanjo are advising RMK (Kwankwaso) on his defection. As it is, it seems Kwankwaso is the bargaining strength for Peter Obi to get the presidential ticket in the ADC, and the card must be carefully played.

“Currently, ADC leaders are mounting pressure on RMK to join the party. Of course, he is interested, but we don’t want to play into the hands of some people rooting for Atiku’s presidency who have almost taken over the party.

“The picture we are seeing from outside is that Obi was lured into the party, and we don’t want to fall into that trap. The game ahead is that Obi will participate in the ADC presidential primary, and after losing to Atiku, he will be persuaded to take the VP slot. How far he wants to go on that, we don’t know.”

He noted that Obi and Kwankwaso’s camps had met with some key national leaders to galvanise support for the ex-Anambra governor’s presidential ambition.

The NNPP chieftain disclosed that without the conclusion of “wider consultations,” the defection might not take place.

“We are committed to seeing the South complete its eight years, which is only possible with Peter Obi’s presidency. People like Baba Ota (Obasanjo) also believe in that, and it is in that line that Kwankwaso can have a chance to contest the 2031 presidential election.

“RMK is still consulting, and until those consultations are concluded, nothing serious will happen. As it stands, Kwankwaso is Obi’s only strong bargaining chip for the ADC presidential ticket. Notwithstanding, politics is dynamic. A day is too long in the political arena,” he added.

The Insider also confirmed that both Kwankwaso and the ADC committees met a few days ago and agreed to meet again in the coming week.

“Yes, the two committees met a few days ago in Abuja and they agreed to meet again. By next week, we should have a position,” he stated.

When contacted, the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, declined to comment, saying he had no information about the matter.

He said, “I am not part of any committee speaking with Kwankwaso, so how would I know what you are talking about?”

He, however, described him as a strong political leader.

The spokesperson for the NNPP, Ladipo Johnson, also declined to comment on Kwankwaso’s defection.

He said, “I’m not in possession of any useful information on what you’re asking, so I may not be able to comment.” (Sunday PUNCH)