The 2023 presidential candidate and the national leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, on Wednesday, met Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, behind closed doors at the Governor’s Office in Ibadan.
Although the outcome of the meeting was not made known to the public, it was believed that it was not unconnected with consolidating the existing age-long cordial ties between Kwankwaso and Makinde.
Among Kwankwaso’s entourage were NNPP’s National Chairman, Dr Ajid Ahmed, the National Publicity Secretary, Najipo Johnson, and other party’s top echelon.
Speaking with newsmen after the meeting, Kwankwaso disclosed that he was in Ibadan mainly to inaugurate the NNPP’s new state office as part of efforts aimed at strengthening the party’s structure and unity in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 general election.
He added that the meeting with Makinde transcended partisan considerations.
“I am here in Ibadan together with the national chairman of our party, NNPP, Dr Ajid Ahmed, and other party officials to open our office here and discuss important issues relating to our party in Oyo State.
“But before proceeding to the party office, I felt it was important to pay a courtesy visit to the governor, who has always been our friend. This visit is more about personal friendship than party politics,” he said.
Kwankwaso, who recognised Makinde’s membership of the Peoples Democratic Party, admitted that he also had deep roots in the PDP before his eventual defection.
He said, “In fact, we formed the PDP in 1998. By 1999, I was elected Governor of Kano State under the PDP and later served as Minister of Defence.
“I also returned to Kano under the PDP and served in various national and international capacities, including as an envoy in Darfur and Somalia.”
Kwankwaso recalled that he later joined the All Progressives Congress before aligning with the NNPP, where he is currently serving as the national leader.
The former Kano State governor thereafter inaugurated the party’s office in Ibadan.
According to him, the inauguration was to establish the party’s presence in the state capital, ahead of the 2027 general election.
Kwankwaso recently lost his political godson and the governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, to the ruling APC.
There were also reports that the former Kano State governor may join the ADC ahead of the 2027 election.
Kwankwaso has, however, stated that he would join any political party that would offer him a presidential or vice presidential ticket.
Speaking on the defection of Governor Yusuf to the APC, Kwankwaso said the NNPP would ensure the governor did not return in 2027.
The visit to Makinde, political pundits believed, was part of broader consultations and realignments ahead of the 2027 general election.
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