2027: ‘We Want to Bring Back Kano’s Power’ — Obi Declares in Meeting with Kwankwaso

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, was in Kano on Sunday where he held a high-level meeting with former governor of the state, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

The visit, which drew several political heavyweights, has sparked fresh conversations about possible alliances ahead of the 2027 general elections.

POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the closed-door meeting took place at Kwankwaso’s residence along Miller Road.

It was attended by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, former Bayelsa State Governor Senator Seriake Dickson, and outspoken political figure Naajatu Mohammed, among others.

Their presence added weight to the gathering and fueled speculation about ongoing political consultations across party lines.

There are growing claims that the meeting may not be unconnected to a wider realignment. Some believe Kwankwaso could be weighing options beyond the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), with talks linking him to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Though no official statement was made on this, the development has continued to generate interest.

Speaking during the annual Kwankwassiya Sallah celebration, Obi addressed a large crowd of supporters and residents.

He explained that his visit was mainly to honour the festive period and show respect to Kwankwaso. He, however, spoke strongly about the need to restore Kano’s lost economic strength.

“I’m here to felicitate with you on the occasion of Sallah and to pay my respect to our leader. So thank you,” Obi said. “We want to change Kano. We want to build a new Kano. What we want to do is bring back the power of Kano—all those factories in Bompai, Sharada 1, Sharada 2, Bank of the North—we want to bring all of them back. Today is not politics; it is the celebration of Sallah.”

Obi’s remarks touched on the decline of Kano’s once-thriving industrial zones, especially in areas like Bompai and Sharada, which used to host major manufacturing activities in northern Nigeria. His comments were seen by many as a signal of his continued focus on economic revival and industrial growth.

The visit also reflects a broader effort by Obi and his allies to strengthen engagement in the northern region.

Kwankwaso, who received the delegation, expressed satisfaction with the visit and the show of unity among political leaders. He noted that the Sallah celebration provided an opportunity for leaders and supporters to come together in peace and shared purpose.