Rauf Aregbesola, the former minister of interior, and Rabiu Kwankwaso, the ex-governor of Kano state, recently met in Lagos to “strategise” ahead of the 2027 general election.
“Aregbesola and Kwankwaso just completed a marathon meeting in Lagos where they strategised on the 2027 election,” a party source told TheCable.
This development comes shortly after Omoluabi Progressives, Aregbesola’s political group, left the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Abosede Oluwaseun, spokesperson for the group, mentioned that members decided to quit APC due to “ostracisation from the party, suspension and expulsion of leaders without fair hearing, and continuous denigration of the structure.”
A few days later, the APC in Osun expelled Aregbesola over alleged anti-party activities.
Aregbesola, who served as the governor of Osun from 2010 to 2018 under the APC, also held a ministerial position in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari from 2015 to 2023.
As the 2027 general election approaches, discussions about forming a coalition to challenge the APC are gaining momentum.
Additionally, politicians from opposition parties have been holding “strategic meetings.”
In November, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar hosted Peter Obi, a chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), to a breakfast meeting at his residence in Adamawa state.
In January, Nasir el-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna, Hamza Al-Mustapha, the ex-aide to the late Sani Abacha, and other politicians met in Abuja.
The meeting was convened by Shehu Gabam, national chairman of the Social Democratic Party (PDP).
Kwankwaso was the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the 2023 elections.
On Friday, Ajuji Ahmed, the NNPP chairman, stated that while the party is not currently in coalition talks, it is not ruling out the possibility.
