As political realignments begin ahead of the 2027 general elections, former Kano State Governor and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has met with former Interior Minister, Rauf Aregbesola, at his Lagos residence.
The meeting, which took place on Saturday, comes at a time when opposition forces are calling for a formidable coalition to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next election cycle.
Kwankwaso confirmed the development in a post on X, where he disclosed that discussions centered on national politics and governance.
“This evening, I had the pleasure of visiting the former Governor of Osun State and former Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, at his residence in Lagos. The meeting afforded us the opportunity to engage in discussions on national politics, governance, and the future of Nigeria’s democratic landscape,” he wrote.
Aregbesola, a former two-term governor of Osun State, has had strained relations with President Tinubu following his opposition to the second-term bid of his successor, Gboyega Oyetola. Oyetola, who governed Osun from 2018 to 2022, lost his re-election bid to Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Despite his political fallout with Tinubu, Aregbesola was later appointed as the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy under the current administration.
Kwankwaso, on the other hand, remains a key opposition figure after contesting the 2023 presidential election under the NNPP. His latest engagement with Aregbesola has fueled speculations of possible political alliances as the race for 2027 gathers momentum.
This evening, I had the pleasure to visit the former Governor of Osun State and former Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, at his residence in Lagos.
The meeting afforded us the opportunity to engage in discussions on national politics, governance, and the future of… pic.twitter.com/fjLZkN1IBh
— Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (@KwankwasoRM) February 8, 2025
