Rabiu Kwankwaso
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to hold a crucial meeting with the leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, any moment from now, Politics Digest has reliably gathered.
The meeting comes barely a day after President Tinubu held a strategic closed-door meeting with Kwankwaso’s political protégé and Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, at the Presidential Villa.
Sources familiar with the development told Politics Digest that Governor Yusuf played a central role in facilitating the meeting, following President Tinubu’s expressed desire to harmonise key political interests across party lines as part of broader consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Until recently, Senator Kwankwaso had maintained a firm opposition to joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) and was said to have cautioned Governor Yusuf against defecting. However, his public posture has appeared to soften in recent weeks.
Speaking to journalists recently, the former Kano governor and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) hinted at a possible political realignment, stating that he would consider a move if presented with what he described as a “satisfactory offer” from the ruling party.
A senior APC leader from the North-West confirmed to Politics Digest that the meeting between President Tinubu and Senator Kwankwaso is tentatively scheduled for later today, subject to last-minute adjustments to the President’s itinerary.
“The President is keen on broadening his political base,” the source said. “The meeting is expected this evening, and discussions will likely focus on national stability, political cooperation and the future alignment of forces ahead of 2027.”
The back-to-back engagements have intensified speculation over the future of the NNPP and the direction of the Kwankwasiyya political structure. While Governor Yusuf’s camp is reportedly in a celebratory mood following his successful interaction with the President, it remains unclear whether Kwankwaso and Yusuf are considering a coordinated exit from the NNPP or pursuing separate political strategies.
Analysts say any potential realignment of the Kwankwasiyya movement with the APC would represent a seismic shift in Northern Nigerian politics. Politics Digest notes that such a move could also weaken the proposed “Third Force” coalition reportedly being explored by opposition figures, including Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, with Kwankwaso as a central figure.
For President Tinubu, securing the cooperation of both a sitting governor and the undisputed leader of one of Kano’s most influential political movements would significantly strengthen the APC’s hold on the state—widely regarded as a critical battleground in national elections.
Politics Digest is monitoring developments at the Presidential Villa and will provide updates as the expected meeting unfolds.
By PRNigeria
