A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Salihu Moh. Lukman, has cautioned former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, against leaving the party, warning that such a move could undermine his political standing and portray him as self-serving.

Lukman, a former Director-General of the Progressive Governors Forum, made the remarks in an open letter addressed to Kwankwaso, in which he expressed concern over what he described as growing tendencies a demong opposition leaders to prioritise personal ambition over collective national interest.

The letter follows recent political developments, including the reported decision of Peter Obi to exit the ADC, fueling speculation about possible realignments ahead of the 2027 elections.

Questioning the rationale behind potential defections, Lukman said it was unclear what had changed within weeks of joining the party to justify reconsidering membership. He stressed that unity among opposition figures under a single platform remains critical for electoral success, arguing that divisions contributed to past electoral losses.

He explained that efforts to build a broad opposition coalition began as early as 2024, involving consultations with key political figures such as Atiku Abubakar and others. According to him, stakeholders agreed on the need to either register a new party or adopt an existing one, eventually settling on the ADC after evaluating multiple options.

Lukman noted that the decision to adopt the ADC followed internal reforms and dispute resolutions within the party, as well as its eligibility under electoral regulations. He added that negotiations also considered other parties before narrowing the choice.

The ADC chieftain argued that leaders with strong political credentials, including Kwankwaso, should focus on building a united front rather than seeking alternative platforms. He also dismissed concerns that certain figures could dominate party primaries, describing such assumptions as unfair.

While acknowledging the political influence of key actors, Lukman urged them to prioritise legacy and national cohesion over individual aspirations, particularly in light of Nigeria’s current socio-economic challenges.

He warned that repeated defections could weaken public confidence in opposition leadership, adding that Nigerians would be more inspired by demonstrations of unity and collective responsibility among political leaders.