Sunday high-profile meeting involving Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde; national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi; and former Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has continued to stir reactions, injecting fresh momentum into Nigeria’s political discourse, fuelling speculations about possible political realignments ahead of 2027 general elections and leaving the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to recalibrate its strategies.
The unexpected convergence of the three political heavyweights has unsettled members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano, a state considered a stronghold of Kwankwaso and a key battleground in national politics. Party loyalists described the meeting as “strategic” and capable of altering existing political alliances, particularly in the North.
Reacting to the development, some APC stakeholders in Kano expressed concern over what they perceived as a growing coalition among opposition leaders. They warned that such alliances, if solidified, could pose a significant challenge to the ruling party’s dominance in upcoming electoral contests.
Meanwhile, supporters of Obi and Dickson have downplayed the political implications of the meeting, insisting it was part of ongoing consultations aimed at strengthening democratic values and fostering national dialogue. They emphasised the need for leaders across party lines to engage in constructive conversations for the country’s progress.
Expressing surprise at what was termed the Sallah meeting of the leading opposition figures, the APC in Kano questioned both the timing and political relevance of the gathering. The party’s Publicity Secretary, Auwal Mai-Nage, told newsmen on Monday that the meeting was unexpected and disconnected from the political realities in Kano.
Despite the surprise expressed by the Kano APC, the party downplayed the significance of the meeting, insisting that it does not constitute a serious political challenge within the state. “We are genuinely surprised to see Kwankwaso and Peter Obi aligning in this manner. This is a Muslim gathering, yet Obi is widely perceived as having limited engagement with Muslim communities. For Kwankwaso to prioritise such alliances over local considerations raises serious questions about his political strategy.”
He also criticised the turnout of participants, suggesting that it was far below expectations for an event featuring prominent national figures. For an event that brought together two presidential candidates and key opposition leaders, the attendance was notably low. Even a local government chairman in Kano can mobilise a larger crowd,” he said.
Mai-Nage further alleged that Obi’s political moves were driven by regional considerations and expressed disappointment that Kwankwaso, a long-standing political figure in the North, would endorse such alignments. Observers, however, note that the gathering may be an early indicator of opposition realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Makinde convenes emergency PDP stakeholders’ meeting in Oyo, GOVERNOR Makinde, last night, planned to hold an emergency meeting with key stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State. The meeting, initially scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Agodi Government House, was later moved to the Local Government Training Centre within the State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
Sources said the session is aimed at briefing party members on recent developments, particularly ongoing reconciliation efforts with a faction aligned to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The governor is also expected to address speculations surrounding possible defections, especially in relation to his recent engagements with leaders of other political parties.
Another source indicated that the meeting would deliberate on modalities for selecting the party’s governorship candidate, including options of consensus or primary elections.
As of the time of filing this report, stakeholders, including government officials, political appointees, elected representatives, party leaders, governorship aspirants, members of the elders’ forum, and the Governor’s Advisory Council, had assembled at the venue awaiting the governor’s arrival.
This is as the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Monday night took a swipe at Makinde, declaring that the governor had entered a political battle he lacked the capacity to finish. Speaking at the 107th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Wike mocked Makinde’s reliance on contracts and judicial orders, stating that “politics and Shell contracts are not the same thing.”
The PDP at the NEC meeting came up with a resolution to move into its National Convention as a unified body and adopt a “no victor, no vanquished” stance to bridge internal divisions. The meeting served as the final clearing house for the party’s leadership ahead of the March 29 and 30 elective convention.
In a communiqué issued after the session, the NEC officially ratified the reports from the recently concluded ward, local government, state and zonal congresses. The communiqué was signed by Abdulrahman Mohammed and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, both Chairman and Secretary of the party’s National Caretaker Working Committee.
A major outcome of the meeting was the formal affirmation of the zoning formula for national elective positions. According to the communiqué, the NEC adopted the arrangement based on the party’s principles of equity and national balance.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, urged members to accept the zoning recommendations with an open mind. He noted that while no system satisfies everyone, the “greater good of the party” must come first.
Masari: APC ready for convention, 2027 polls
AMIDST recent developments within the opposition parties, APC has declared that it is ready for the conduct of its National Convention this weekend and the 2027 general election. Chairman of the Central Coordination Committee for APC 2026 National Convention, Aminu Masari and other key leaders planning the exercise made this declaration in Abuja on Monday.
They spoke after a walk for a cleaner and safer environment, themed: “Let’s Go Green”, organised by the Environment and Sanitation Sub-committee, APC 2026 National Convention.
Addressing journalists at the event, Masari, a former governor of Katsina State, said the walk demonstrated the APC’s readiness not just for the convention but next year’s polls in which the party is confident of victory.
For his part, co-chairman of the APC Convention Environment and Sanitation Sub-committee and former Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, said the event was a demonstration of the party’s capacity to hold a hitch-free convention and head to victory in 2027.
“What we have done shows the real fact that we have capacity, energy and vitality to drive the convention in absolute peace. As a party, we are really repositioning and reloading to create a new Nigeria that shows clearly that we are focused on returning to government and with a clear agenda to put people first and above every consideration.
Similarly, former Speaker of the House of Representatives and member of the Convention Planning Committee, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, said the party is poised to conduct a successful convention and victorious outing at the 2027 polls.
MEANWHILE, the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) of the APC has resolved to retain the party’s current national leadership, ruling out any move to rezone key positions. The decision was reached in the early hours of Monday after a meeting that ended at about 1:45 a.m. in Lagos.
Chairman of the forum and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, who briefed journalists after the meeting, said the governors agreed that there was no justification for altering the party’s leadership structure while President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains in office.
Also reflected in the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and signed by Uzodimma, the forum said it deliberated on national development, the responsibilities of state leadership, and the role of progressive governors in translating federal reforms into tangible benefits for citizens. The governors reaffirmed their commitment to democratic stability, principled governance, and theRenewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration.
They disclosed that prior to the meeting, members paid a visit to the President, where discussions centred on security, economic reforms, social welfare, infrastructure development, food systems, and strengthening cooperative federalism.
“The forum noted that the President’s recent visit to the United Kingdom formed part of broader security and development diplomacy and welcomed his assurance of continued international engagement to tackle security challenges and advance development priorities,” the communiqué stated.
On national issues, the forum undertook a review of the political, economic and security environment, noting that reforms often come with challenges but are necessary for long-term stability and growth. It stressed the need for stronger collaboration between federal and state governments, particularly in critical sectors such as agriculture, energy, transportation, healthcare and education, while maintaining the autonomy of states.
On party matters, the forum pledged loyalty to the APC and commended the peaceful conduct of its ward, local government and state congresses nationwide, describing them as evidence of growing internal democracy and institutional maturity.
It, however, cautioned against complacency, urging party leaders to remain committed to unity, discipline and service delivery.
The forum concluded by calling on Nigerians to remain committed to the democratic process and support efforts aimed at building a more secure, inclusive and prosperous country. The meeting was attended by 24 APC governors, while the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State represented her boss. (Guardian)
