National leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) Rabiu Kwankwaso has described his closed-door meeting with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde as a courtesy visit based on personal friendship.
Mr. Kwankwaso met Governor Makinde on Wednesday at the governor’s office in Ibadan during a visit to Oyo State to inaugurate the NNPP’s office and hold consultations with party officials.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, which lasted about two hours, he dismissed speculation that the visit was linked to possible political 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.”
Kwankwaso acknowledged that Makinde is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and recalled that he was among those who formed the party in 1998.
He said he was elected governor of Kano State under the PDP in 1999 and later served as Minister of Defence.
He added that he later joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) before aligning with the NNPP, where he now serves as national leader.
Kwankwaso also inaugurated the NNPP office in Ibadan, saying the move was aimed at strengthening the party’s presence in the state ahead of the 2027 election.
The meeting comes weeks after Kano State governor Abba Yusuf defected from the NNPP to the APC.
