Hours after Peter Obi joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), the Obidient Movement has declared a decisive shift in its political direction, aligning fully with the party as the next platform for advancing its reform agenda.

Meanwhile, the National Leader of NDC, Senator Seriake Dickson, defended the party’s registration, dismissing allegations of irregularities and urging Nigerians to ignore what he described as propaganda.

However, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and allies of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have denied reports of defection talks with NDC, amid claims of ongoing contacts and a possible midweek announcement.

The move by the Obidients followed the exit of Obi from ADC, a step driven by the need for a more stable, credible and purpose-driven political structure. His subsequent registration into the NDC alongside Rabiu Kwankwaso signals the emergence of a broader alliance poised to reshape Nigeria’s political landscape.

Describing the transition as both strategic and necessary, National Coordinator of the Movement, Dr Yunusa Tanko, said the moment demands more than fragmented efforts. “It requires consolidation under a platform capable of translating public aspirations into governance reality.”

He urged members across the country and in the Diaspora to immediately begin registration into the NDC at ward levels, adding: “A digital registration portal has also been activated to ensure accessibility and ease of participation for all supporters.”

Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, in a post on X yesterday, said the party’s formation was the result of a long-standing process dating back to 2017, contrary to claims that it was recently granted recognition without due process.

“For the record, the annexures show that we initiated the registration process for NDC as far back as 2017 and INEC granted approval at that time before the process was halted,” he said.

He added that the party revisited and updated its application when INEC resumed registration of political associations.

Dickson’s comments came amid controversy triggered by allegations from the convener of League of Northern Democrats (LND) and promoter of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), Umar Ardo, who accused the electoral body of unlawfully registering the NDC in violation of constitutional provisions and its own guidelines on DCL Hausa.

Ardo claimed that while his group and others met all requirements for registration, they were ignored, whereas the NDC was allegedly recognised under questionable circumstances.

“NDC obtained registration without applying, without meeting the requirements set by law, without meeting the provisions of the Constitution, and without meeting INEC’s guidelines,” Ardo said during an interview.

However, Dickson rejected the claims, insisting that the party followed due process and warning that misinformation should not distract from its objectives.

“With my experience in politics, I am fully aware that an ambitious project of this nature will attract distractions—rumours, gossip, propaganda and even blackmail,” he said, urging Nigerians to remain focused on the party’s broader vision of national renewal.

The pushback from ADC and Atiku’s allies came as the party faces internal challenges over leadership, direction and how to manage a broad opposition coalition ahead of the next electoral cycle.

Responding to the reports, Atiku’s media adviser, Paul Ibe, said there were no such talks involving his principal and former governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola.

“If that is the case, I will be the first to know. I don’t think there’s anything like that (defection to NDC),” Ibe said when contacted.

Within the party, officials also rejected the claims, saying there were no discussions linking its key figures to the NDC and that the reports did not reflect the situation.

ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, described the report as, “100 per cent rubbish.”

The reports point to alleged high-level contacts between leading political actors within the ADC and key NDC figures, with suggestions that a formal move could be announced as early as Wednesday. (The Guardian, but headline rejigged)