Kwankwaso opens up on visit to Gov Makinde

 

The 2023 presidential candidate and National Leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, on Wednesday paid a courtesy visit to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, in Ibadan.

The visit was followed by a private meeting at the Governor’s Office.

While details of their discussions were not made public, the meeting comes amid shifting political alignments ahead of the 2027 general election. It is also believed to reflect ongoing efforts to reinforce the long-standing relationship between the two political figures.

Kwankwaso was accompanied by top members of the NNPP, including National Chairman Ajid Ahmed, National Publicity Secretary Ladipo Johnson, and other party leaders.

Addressing journalists after the closed-door session, Kwankwaso explained that his trip to Ibadan was chiefly to inaugurate the NNPP’s new state secretariat as part of moves to deepen the party’s presence and cohesion in Oyo State in preparation for 2027.

He stressed, however, that his engagement with Makinde transcended partisan lines.

“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.

“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,” he said.

Kwankwaso acknowledged that Makinde remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), noting that he himself had deep ties to the party before leaving.

He said, “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.”

He recounted his subsequent move to the All Progressives Congress and eventual alignment with the NNPP, where he now serves as National Leader.