Rabiu Kwankwaso, held a private meeting with President Bola Tinubu

Former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, held a private meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the presidential residence on Monday. The encounter followed Kwankwaso's participation in the opening ceremony of the Nigeria Forest Economy Summit 2025, which took place at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.

This marks the second publicly recognized meeting between the two prominent figures in just over two years. Their previous meeting at the Aso Rock Villa occurred on June 9, 2023, shortly after Tinubu's inauguration, making Kwankwaso the first presidential candidate to visit the newly elected President.

During their previous encounter, Kwankwaso disclosed to State House correspondents that he had engaged in discussions on politics and governance with President Tinubu. Although he hinted at the possibility of collaborating with the President, he did not provide further details.

Monday's meeting, however, was not open to the press, and the details of their discussions remain unknown. The timing of the meeting is noteworthy, coming only weeks after the opposition African Democratic Congress announced a broad-based coalition aimed at challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress in the upcoming 2027 elections.

As a veteran northern power-broker and founder of the influential "Kwankwasiyya" political movement, Kwankwaso's involvement in the political landscape is significant. His impressive political credentials include two non-consecutive terms as governor of Kano, serving as defense minister under President Olusegun Obasanjo, and running for president on the ticket of the New Nigeria Peoples Party in 2023. Despite finishing fourth in the presidential race, Kwankwaso achieved a resounding victory in Kano State, solidifying his grip on Nigeria's most populous northern state.

Although the New Nigeria Peoples Party is not officially part of the ADC-led coalition, opposition figures have been courting Kwankwaso in an effort to unite disparate parties ahead of the 2027 presidential election. His participation could potentially tip the balance of power in the political landscape.

Presidency sources, contacted for this report, were unable to confirm the specifics of the discussion between the two men. One source revealed that the meeting took place at the President's residence, making it inaccessible to most aides.

As the political landscape in Nigeria continues to evolve, the meeting between Kwankwaso and Tinubu has sparked speculation about potential alliances and collaborations. With the 2027 elections drawing near, the significance of this encounter cannot be overstated.