Makinde and Kwankwaso Hold Private Meeting in Ibadan Amid 2027 Election Speculations

Former PDP Governor Kwankwaso Visits Oyo Governor Makinde in High-Profile Courtesy Call

Ibadan, Oyo State — Former presidential candidate and National Leader of the Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso met with Seyi Makinde at the Governor’s Office in Ibadan yesterday, sparking fresh speculation over possible political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Kwankwaso, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and previously served as Governor of Kano State, described the meeting as a courtesy visit rooted in personal friendship rather than party politics.

Accompanying Kwankwaso were senior NNPP officials including Dr Ajuji Ahmed, the party’s National Chairman; Ladipo Johnson, National Publicity Secretary; and Buba Galadima, Secretary of the Board of Trustees. The delegation was also in Oyo State to inaugurate the NNPP’s state office and discuss internal party matters.

“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 told journalists after the two-hour private session.

Reflecting on his political journey, Kwankwaso noted that he was among the founding members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 1998, served as Minister of Defence, and held two terms as Governor of Kano State under the PDP platform before joining the APC and later leading the NNPP.

Despite the public comments, both Kwankwaso and Makinde withheld details of their discussions, leaving political analysts and the public to speculate on potential strategic implications for the 2027 elections.

Following the meeting, the NNPP delegation was expected to proceed with the inauguration of the party’s Oyo State office.