The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has made a staggering claim, alleging over 10 million Nigerians registered with the party within 24 hours of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso's defection. However, this extraordinary assertion, made by a coordinator of the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, lacks any official verification from INEC or other credible authorities. Political observers are highly skeptical, viewing the claim as potential hyperbole aimed at boosting the NDC's image ahead of the 2027 elections.
NDC claims 10 million Nigerians registered after Obi, Kwankwaso defection
No official verification has been provided, and there is no independent confirmation from any credible authority, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has made an extraordinary claim, alleging that more than 10 million Nigerians registered with the party within 24 hours of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso defecting.
The announcement was made by Dr. Adefolaseye Adebayo, the South West coordinator of the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, during an appearance on Arise Television on Tuesday.
While Adebayo lauded Obi as a popular leader with significant followership across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, the claim of a 10 million-person surge in NDC registrations remains highly questionable.
No official verification has been provided, and there is no independent confirmation from any credible authority, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“There’s no doubt that Obi commands widespread support, but claiming that 10 million Nigerians registered with the NDC in a single day feels more like political hyperbole than a verified statistic,” political observers have said. “It’s the kind of claim that, without official proof, should be taken with a grain of salt.”
The NDC’s statement, while seeking to portray Obi’s defection as a game-changer, has also drawn sharp criticism for its lack of transparency. Political insiders note that such a massive surge in party membership would typically be tracked and recorded by INEC, which has yet to report or authenticate any such numbers.
Despite these concerns, Adebayo continued to assert that the NDC now has the political muscle to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections, arguing that Obi’s leadership would unite Nigerians in a way no other candidate could. She also pointed to the defections from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as evidence that key political figures are aligning themselves with Obi ahead of the next general election.
However, the speed and scale of the registration claim have left many political analysts skeptical, with some calling the statement a blatant attempt to boost the NDC’s image ahead of what could be a fiercely contested election.
