Obasanjo meets Kwankwaso in Kano, fuels fresh 2027 alliance speculation

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday held a private meeting with the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, in Kano, a development that has intensified speculation over possible political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

While an earlier account suggested that Obasanjo paid a courtesy visit to Kwankwaso at his residence, a source familiar with the meeting told journalists that it was Kwankwaso who visited the former president at the hotel where he was staying in Kano on Thursday night.

Despite the differing accounts regarding the venue of the meeting, both leaders were confirmed to have met behind closed doors. Kwankwaso was accompanied by the NDC governorship candidate in Kano State, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo.

The meeting was confirmed in a statement issued by Kwankwaso’s media aide, Saifullahi Hassan, who described the engagement as cordial, saying the political leaders exchanged warm pleasantries during the private meeting.

The statement, however, did not disclose the issues discussed.

Kwankwaso and Obasanjo have maintained a longstanding political relationship dating back to the former president’s administration, during which Kwankwaso served as Nigeria’s Minister of Defence between 2003 and 2007.

The meeting has triggered fresh political speculation as consultations and alliance-building gather momentum ahead of the 2027 elections.

NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi is widely regarded as a close political ally of Obasanjo, who publicly endorsed his presidential bid during the 2023 general election.

Neither Obasanjo nor Kwankwaso commented on the purpose of the meeting, but political observers believe the engagement is likely to attract significant attention amid ongoing discussions on strengthening opposition cooperation ahead of the next general elections.