Governor Seyi Makinde on Tuesday received the 2023 presidential candidate and National Leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, at the Governor’s Office in Ibadan.
While details of the closed-door meeting were not officially disclosed, political observers believe the visit may be connected to the long-standing cordial relationship between both leaders.
Kwankwaso arrived with members of the NNPP’s national leadership, including the party’s National Chairman, Dr Ajid Ahmed, and National Publicity Secretary, Najipo Johnson, alongside other senior officials.
“Visit Beyond Politics” — Kwankwaso
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Kwankwaso said his primary mission to Ibadan was to inaugurate the NNPP’s new Oyo State office as part of efforts to strengthen the party’s structure and unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He explained that his courtesy visit to Governor Makinde was rooted more in personal friendship than partisan alignment.
“I am here in Ibadan with the National Chairman of our party and other officials to open our office and discuss important issues concerning our party in Oyo State. But before proceeding there, 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 stated.
Kwankwaso acknowledged Makinde’s membership of the Peoples Democratic Party, noting that he himself played a foundational role in the PDP in 1998 and was elected Governor of Kano State on its platform in 1999. He also recalled serving as Minister of Defence and holding international assignments, including peace missions in Darfur and Somalia.
The former Kano governor later moved to the All Progressives Congress before aligning with the NNPP, where he currently serves as national leader.
NNPP Expands Footprint in Oyo
Following the meeting, Kwankwaso proceeded to inaugurate the NNPP’s state office in Ibadan, describing it as a strategic step to formally establish and strengthen the party’s presence in Oyo State ahead of 2027.
His visit comes amid shifting political calculations at the national level. The NNPP in Kano recently experienced political realignments, while speculation has continued over possible alliances ahead of the next general election.
Kwankwaso, however, has maintained that his political decisions will be guided by national interest and strategic considerations as the 2027 race gradually takes shape.
For Ibadan, the high-profile visit underscores the city’s growing role as a meeting point for major political consultations ahead of Nigeria’s next electoral cycle.
