Kwankwaso, Obi, Dickson meeting surprises Kano APC

Kwankwaso, Obi, Dickson meeting surprises Kano APC

The Kano State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reacted with surprise to a recent Eid-el-Fitr gathering hosted by Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, which brought together notable opposition figures.

The event, held on Sunday at Kwankwaso’s residence on Miller Road in Kano, featured the presence of former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, and former Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson.

Organised as part of the Sallah celebrations, the meeting included informal interactions and photo sessions, which Kwankwaso later shared on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account. He described the occasion as a moment of unity and goodwill, extending prayers for peace, blessings, and prosperity.

However, the Kano APC questioned the intent and timing of the gathering. Speaking on Monday, the party’s Publicity Secretary, Auwal Mai-Nage, said the development was unexpected and appeared out of touch with the political realities in the state.

He raised concerns over what he described as an unusual alignment between Kwankwaso and Obi, suggesting it could send mixed signals, particularly in the context of regional and religious dynamics.

Mai-Nage also criticised the turnout at the event, noting that the number of attendees did not reflect the stature of the political figures present. He argued that such a high-profile meeting should have attracted a larger crowd.

The APC spokesperson further alleged that emerging alliances among opposition figures may be influenced by regional interests, expressing disappointment that Kwankwaso would associate with such moves.

Political observers, however, see the meeting as a possible sign of early coalition-building efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections. The gathering follows a previous closed-door meeting between Kwankwaso and Governor Makinde in Ibadan earlier this year, which had already sparked speculation about opposition realignments.

Despite its reservations, the Kano APC downplayed the significance of the meeting, insisting it does not pose a substantial political threat within the state.