*Makinde, An Old Friend -Kwankwaso Tells Journalists
By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan
Presidential candidate of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the 2023 general elections, Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, held a closed-door meeting with Oyo State governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, at the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Ibadan, on Wednesday.
Although official details of the meeting have not been made public, the private nature of the engagement has sparked political interest.
The meetings between the high-profile political figures took place under heavy security presence.
In recent months, Kwankwaso has remained active in national political consultations, following the 2023 elections, while Makinde has continued to maintain significant influence within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The meeting came amid ongoing consultations and strategic alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections and political calculations.
While the specific agenda remains undisclosed, political observers suggested that the talks might not be totally unconnected to broader issues of coalition-building and future electoral strategies.
Kwankwaso was accompanied by the party’s National Chairman, Dr Ajuji Ahmed; National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson; Secretary of the Board of Trustees, Buba Galadima; and other senior party officials.
Speaking with journalists afterward, he thumbed down suggestions that the visit was aimed at forging a cross-party alliance.
“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,” Kwankwaso said.
He also reflected on his political odyssey, noting that he was among the founding members of the PDP in 1998 and got elected as Kano State governor in 1999 on the party’s platform.
He recalled serving as Minister of Defence under a PDP administration and returning as governor in 2011, before later defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and subsequently emerging as the National Leader of NNPP.
Recall that recently, African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential hopeful and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, and Makinde met with former military President, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, at the latter’s Minna Hilltop Mansion, Niger State, reportedly over positional alignments for next year’s general elections.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Makinde (l) and Kwankwaso… Wednesday.
