National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has dismissed suggestions that his recent private meeting with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde was aimed at forging a political alliance, describing it instead as a friendly visit.
The NNPP’s 2023 presidential candidate met Governor Makinde on Wednesday at the Governor’s Office in Ibadan. The closed-door discussion reportedly lasted about two hours.
Kwankwaso was in Oyo State to inaugurate the NNPP’s new state secretariat and to hold consultations with key party stakeholders, including NNPP National Chairman Ajuji Ahmed, Publicity Secretary Ladipo Johnson, and Board of Trustees Secretary Buba Galadima.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Kwankwaso played down speculations that the visit was connected to possible cross-party alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“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.”
Neither camp disclosed details of what was discussed during the session.
Nonetheless, the meeting has drawn attention from political watchers, particularly in light of recent developments in Kano State.
Kwankwaso’s political base in Kano suffered a setback after Governor Abba Yusuf, widely regarded as his protégé, formally defected from the NNPP to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on January 26, 2026.
