Kwankwaso Reveals Details of Meeting with Gov Makinde in Ibadan

The 2023 presidential candidate, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has clarified that his closed-door meeting with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde in Ibadan was a courtesy visit based on long-standing personal friendship and not discussions about political alliances.

Kwankwaso visited Makinde on Wednesday at the governor’s office while in Oyo State to inaugurate the NNPP’s new office and hold internal consultations with party officials.

Speaking to journalists after the two-hour meeting, Kwankwaso dismissed speculation that the engagement was linked to possible cross-party realignments ahead of the 2027 general election.

“This visit is more about personal friendship than party politics,” he said.

“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.”

He acknowledged Makinde’s membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and reflected on his own political journey.

Kwankwaso noted that he was among the founding members of the PDP in 1998, was elected governor of Kano State under its platform in 1999, and later served as Minister of Defence.

He subsequently joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) before aligning with the NNPP, where he currently serves as national leader.

Kwankwaso later inaugurated the NNPP office in Ibadan, saying the move was aimed at strengthening the party’s presence in the state capital ahead of the 2027 general election.