2027: Kwankwanso Moves To Strengthen NNPP Structure In Ibadan, Holds Closed-Doors Meeting With Makinde
•By OYENIYI AWOJOODU
IBADAN — THE former presidential candidate and National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, on Wednesday met behind closed doors with Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, at the Government Secretariat in Ibadan.
The outcome of the meeting which was not discussed with members of the public, was described as a courtesy visit, was rooted in longstanding personal friendship with the Oyo State Governor.
Kwankwaso, a former Governor of Kano State, was accompanied by top officials of the NNPP, including the party’s National Chairman, Dr. Ajid Ahmed, and the National Publicity Secretary, Najipo Johnson.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the meeting, Kwankwaso said his visit to Ibadan was primarily to inaugurate the NNPP’s new state office as part of efforts to strengthen the party’s structure and unity in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He explained that the meeting with Governor 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,” he said.
“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.”
Kwankwaso acknowledged Makinde’s membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), noting that he himself had deep roots in the PDP before his eventual defection.
“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,” he recalled.
The NNPP leader added that he later joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) before aligning with the NNPP, where he now serves as national leader.
Kwankwaso said after the office inauguration and party meetings, he and his team would return to Abuja.
Political observers see the visit as part of broader consultations and realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, although both leaders maintained that the engagement was largely personal.