Kwankwaso Meets Makinde in Oyo, Downplays Political Significance Ahead of 2027 Polls
NNPP leader Rabiu Kwankwaso visited PDP Governor Seyi Makinde in Ibadan, describing the meeting as friendship-based rather than political strategy, though the timing raises questions about cross-party alignments before Nigeria's 2027 elections.
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New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has characterized his recent meeting with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde as a personal courtesy visit, seeking to distance the encounter from political calculations ahead of Nigeria's 2027 general elections.
The meeting, which took place at the Governor's Office in Ibadan on February 26, brought together two prominent figures from different political parties—Kwankwaso from the NNPP and Makinde from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)—at a time when opposition parties are widely expected to explore alliances to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Personal Ties Over Political Strategy
Kwankwaso emphasized the longstanding nature of his relationship with Governor Makinde when explaining the rationale behind the visit. "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 stated, according to Vanguard News.
The NNPP leader's visit to Oyo State came as part of a broader party engagement in the southwestern state, where the NNPP has been working to expand its influence beyond its northern strongholds. The party secured approximately 1.5 million votes in the 2023 presidential election, finishing fourth nationally but demonstrating significant support in Kano State and other northern regions.
Governor Makinde, who won re-election in 2023 on the PDP platform, has maintained a relatively independent political stance within his party. His administration has occasionally collaborated with the federal government on specific issues while maintaining critical positions on others, a balancing act that has distinguished him among opposition governors.
Cross-Party Dynamics in Nigeria's Opposition
The meeting between Kwankwaso and Makinde occurs against a backdrop of ongoing discussions within Nigeria's opposition landscape about potential collaboration ahead of the 2027 elections. Following the 2023 presidential election, which saw the APC's Bola Tinubu secure victory with approximately 37% of the vote in a four-way race, opposition figures have periodically discussed the possibility of forming a united front.
Kwankwaso's NNPP emerged from a split within the PDP ahead of the 2023 elections, when the former Kano State governor left the party following disagreements over its presidential primary process. His departure, along with those of other prominent politicians, contributed to the fragmentation of opposition votes in the last election cycle.
Political analysts have noted that personal relationships often serve as the foundation for political alliances in Nigeria's electoral system, where party loyalty can be fluid and cross-party cooperation is not uncommon, particularly at state and local levels. The southwestern region, where Makinde governs, has historically been competitive territory among Nigeria's major political parties.
Strategic Positioning Before 2027
While Kwankwaso downplayed the political significance of his visit, the timing—roughly 18 months before the next general elections—has prompted speculation about potential alignments. Nigeria's electoral calendar requires parties to conduct primaries and submit candidate lists well in advance of the February 2027 polls, meaning strategic discussions typically begin early in the cycle.
The NNPP has been working to establish a national presence beyond its northern base, while the PDP, despite remaining Nigeria's largest opposition party, faces internal challenges as it seeks to reclaim the presidency after losing power in 2015. Governor Makinde represents one of the few PDP success stories in the southwest, a region where the party has struggled against the APC.
Neither Kwankwaso nor Makinde has publicly announced intentions regarding the 2027 elections, though both are widely expected to play significant roles in their respective parties' strategies. The NNPP leader's 2023 campaign demonstrated his ability to mobilize support in specific regions, while Makinde's governance record and electoral success have elevated his profile within the PDP.
As Nigeria's political parties begin positioning for the next electoral cycle, meetings between opposition figures—whether characterized as personal or political—will likely continue to generate attention and speculation about potential alliances that could reshape the country's political landscape.