Political Chess Begins: PDP Governors, Kwankwaso Confer on 2027

Kano, Nigeria – Ahead of the 2027 general elections, PDP governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State met with former Kano State Governor and NNPP National Leader, Rabiu Kwankwaso, as well as Senator Seriake Dickson and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, in what sources say could be early consultations for next year’s presidential race.

The meeting took place during Eid-el-Fitr celebrations at Kwankwaso’s residence in Kano, though insiders suggest discussions went beyond festive greetings to political realignments ahead of the elections.

The Peoples Democratic Party remains divided between two factions: the governors-backed camp, led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), and the Wike-backed camp, which recently formed a National Caretaker Working Committee following legal disputes. The Court of Appeal recently nullified the Ibadan convention held by the governors’ faction, citing violations of the Electoral Act and PDP constitution, while encouraging all parties to seek reconciliation.

Speaking to journalists, Makinde said engaging with Wike’s camp would be tantamount to siding with President Bola Tinubu for 2027. Meanwhile, spokespersons for both camps—Jungudo Mohammed for Wike and Ini Ememobong for Turaki—maintained that reconciliation efforts are ongoing, dismissing claims of sabotage as untrue.

The Dandalin Kwankwasiyya event, now in its 10th year, provided a platform for party leaders and supporters to interact, reflect, and explore potential alliances ahead of the 2027 elections. Political watchers say the meeting could signal early moves in Nigeria’s complex pre-election chessboard, though no formal agreements were reached.

Punch