There are confirmed reports that Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Governor of Kano State and National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), held a private meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The closed-door meeting reportedly took place inside the official residence of the President, shortly after both leaders attended the opening of the Nigeria Forest Economy Summit 2025 held at the State House Conference Centre.
This marks the second publicly known encounter between the two northern political heavyweight and the Nigerian leader in just over two years. Their last official meeting in the Villa was on June 9, 2023, mere days after President Tinubu’s inauguration—making Kwankwaso the first presidential candidate to visit the newly sworn-in president at the time.
During that visit, Kwankwaso confirmed they discussed “politics and governance” and hinted at possible collaboration, without disclosing details.
While no official statement has been released regarding the Monday meeting, presidency sources confirmed it occurred but declined to share the specifics, citing the private nature of the engagement which made it inaccessible even to close aides.
This latest visit comes weeks after the African Democratic Congress (ADC) announced a broad-based opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections, heightening speculations of strategic political alignments.
Kwankwaso, 67, remains a significant northern political force and founder of the influential Kwankwasiyya Movement. He governed Kano State twice (1999–2003 and 2011–2015), served as Minister of Defence under President Obasanjo, and was the NNPP presidential candidate in 2023, where he finished fourth overall but secured a landslide in Kano State.
The NNPP also clinched the governorship and state assembly majority, further cementing his grip over the region.
Although the NNPP is not formally part of the ADC-led opposition coalition, Kwankwaso has continued to receive overtures from various opposition blocs seeking to consolidate political forces before the next general elections.
Political insiders and analysts are now speculating whether this meeting signals a potential alliance or running-mate agreement between President Tinubu and Senator Kwankwaso in anticipation of the 2027 presidential race.
Whether these are just early consultations or a sign of deeper realignment remains to be seen.
