Kwankwaso Visits Governor Makinde in Ibadan Amid 2027 Election Preparations

Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Governor of Kano State and national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has paid a courtesy visit to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde in Ibadan.

The visit, which took place yesterday, comes as political stakeholders continue to position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Kwankwaso explained that his trip to Oyo State was primarily at the invitation of the NNPP state chairman to inaugurate the party's new office in Ibadan.

"We are here on the invitation of our party chairman in Oyo State to open our office in Ibadan and discuss important issues concerning our party," Kwankwaso stated.

However, before proceeding to the party office inauguration, the former defence minister deemed it necessary to pay respects to Governor Makinde, whom he described as a longstanding political associate.

"The governor has always been our friend. I thought before going there I should come and pay my respect to him, and that is what I have done," he added.

Kwankwaso emphasised that the visit was largely driven by personal friendship rather than partisan considerations, though political observers are likely to read deeper meanings into the meeting given the approaching election cycle.

Reflecting on his political journey, Kwankwaso highlighted his extensive history with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the platform under which Governor Makinde currently serves.

"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," he recalled.

"I also returned as governor and held other national assignments under the PDP."

Kwankwaso subsequently left the PDP to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) before eventually moving to the NNPP, where he now serves as national leader.

Following his meeting with Makinde, Kwankwaso proceeded to the NNPP state office for scheduled party engagements before returning to Abuja later yesterday.

The meeting between the two prominent politicians has sparked speculation about potential political realignments ahead of the 2027 presidential contest, though both leaders have maintained that the visit was purely cordial.