Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has held a meeting with the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, during a visit to Kano, sparking speculation over political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Kwankwaso paid a courtesy visit to Obasanjo at his accommodation in Kano on Thursday night, where he also introduced the NDC governorship candidate in Kano State, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, to the former president.
Although details of the meeting were not disclosed, political observers have linked the engagement to early consultations ahead of the 2027 elections, with Peter Obi expected to lead the NDC presidential ticket and Kwankwaso serving as his running mate.
Confirming the visit in a post on his verified X account, Kwankwaso described the meeting as a courtesy call.
“Last night, I paid a courtesy visit to our esteemed leader, His Excellency Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, at his accommodation in Kano.
“I was accompanied by the former Deputy Governor and our gubernatorial candidate, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo,” he wrote.
The engagement continued on Friday morning as Kwankwaso accompanied Obasanjo to the Emir’s Palace in Kano, where both leaders attended the turbanning ceremony of Barrister Abubakar Mahmoud, a prominent legal practitioner and political associate.
Obasanjo’s appearance at the traditional event attracted significant attention from political stakeholders and residents of Kano.
Reacting to the visit, the spokesperson for the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Dr. Habibu Mohammed, dismissed suggestions that the meeting was unusual.
He explained that Kwankwaso served as Governor of Kano State during Obasanjo’s administration as President and that both men have maintained a longstanding mentor-mentee relationship.
According to Mohammed, courtesy visits among senior political leaders are routine and should not be over-interpreted.
He added that the Nigeria Democratic Congress, under the leadership of its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and vice-presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, remains focused on strengthening its structures across the country in preparation for the 2027 general elections.
