Kwankwaso, Makinde Meet in Ibadan Ahead of 2027 Elections

Kwankwaso, Makinde Meet in Ibadan Ahead of 2027 Elections

Former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party NNPP, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, on Wednesday held a closed-door meeting with Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, at the Government Secretariat in Ibadan, stirring fresh conversations about political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Kwankwaso, who flew the NNPP flag in the 2023 presidential election, was received by Makinde at the Governor’s Office shortly after arriving with a high-powered delegation.

Among those in his entourage were the NNPP National Chairman, Dr Ajuji Ahmed; the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson; and the Secretary of the Board of Trustees, Buba Galadima, alongside other senior officials.

Although the visit was officially described as a courtesy call, the timing and profile of the meeting have fueled speculation about strategic consultations ahead of 2027.

The NNPP delegation was in Oyo State primarily to inaugurate the party’s state secretariat and deliberate on internal matters aimed at strengthening its structure.

However, the two-hour private session between the Kano-born politician and the Oyo governor quickly became the focal point of public attention.

Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Kwankwaso dismissed suggestions of a cross-party deal.

“This visit is more about personal friendship than party politics. Governor Makinde and I have known each other for a long time. Before proceeding to our party engagement in the state, I felt it was proper to pay him a courtesy call,” he said.

Kwankwaso also reflected on his political journey, noting that he was among the founding members of the Peoples Democratic Party in 1998 and was elected governor of Kano State in 1999 on its platform.

He later served as Minister of Defence and returned for a second tenure as governor in 2011 under the same party before defecting to the All Progressives Congress. He eventually emerged as the national leader of the NNPP.

Makinde, who is serving his second term as governor under the PDP, has in recent months featured prominently in discussions about the future of opposition politics.

Political observers see him as one of the influential voices who could shape negotiations and possible coalitions as parties begin early calculations for 2027.

Despite the public assurances that the meeting was informal, analysts believe engagements of this nature often signal deeper consultations, especially as major political figures step up nationwide interactions.

Neither Makinde nor Kwankwaso disclosed details of their private deliberations as of press time. The NNPP delegation was, however, expected to proceed with activities surrounding the inauguration of the party’s state office in Ibadan.

With the 2027 general elections still some distance away, the Ibadan meeting underscores the quiet but steady build-up of political maneuvering that is already redefining Nigeria’s evolving electoral landscape.