Former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, met with former President Olusegun Obasanjo over the weekend to discuss the future of politics and governance in Nigeria.

Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State, revealed details of his meeting with Obasanjo on his X handle, accompanied by former Cross River State governor, Donald Duke. He posted a picture of the trio and wrote: “I was pleased to be in the company of my friend, HE Donald Duke and other associates to pay a courtesy call on President Olusegun Obasanjo at his residence in Abeokuta. Deliberations on significant national issues, including the future of politics and governance in Nigeria defined the conversation. We are grateful to Baba for his warm support and hospitality.”

This meeting comes amidst ongoing political turbulence within the NNPP, particularly with Kwankwaso’s leadership being challenged by party leaders, especially from Kano State. Since the 2023 elections, there have been reports of a strained relationship between Kwankwaso and his political mentee, Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf. Speculation about this rift has escalated, with calls for the governor to assert his autonomy and distance himself from Kwankwaso.

The leadership crisis in NNPP reached a peak after the suspension of key figures in the Kano State government, including Abdullahi Baffa Bichi, Secretary to the State Government, and Muhammad Diggol, Commissioner for Transport, following accusations of their involvement in a faction that seeks greater independence for Yusuf from Kwankwaso’s influence. Additionally, a group within NNPP, “Abba Tsaya da Kafarka” (meaning “Abba, stand on your own”), has been urging the governor to make independent political decisions.

Despite these tensions, Governor Yusuf has repeatedly denied any discord with Kwankwaso, asserting that their relationship remains strong and built on mutual respect.

Meanwhile, political observers continue to speculate about the potential revival of discussions between Kwankwaso and former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for a joint ticket ahead of the 2027 election. Although Obi had visited Kwankwaso in Kano earlier this year, and Kwankwaso also paid a visit to Abia State Governor Alex Otti, the only Labour Party governor, no formal alliance has emerged.

In the Labour Party itself, ongoing internal struggles over its leadership have led to a series of defections, with six members of the House of Representatives recently leaving the party for the All Progressives Congress (APC). The party’s woes have deepened further with the departure of its Bayelsa governorship candidate, Odengs Eradiri, and running mate, Commodore Benjamin Nathus (rtd). Additionally, governorship aspirant Kenneth Imansuangbon left the party, following its poor performance in the recent Edo and Ondo governorship elections.

The political landscape remains fluid as these developments unfold, with all eyes on how the leadership disputes in both the NNPP and Labour Party will influence the 2027 general elections.