Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso’s meeting with Rauf Aregbesola last Saturday has sparked significant speculation about a potential alliance ahead of the 2027 elections, Lapalabras reports.
Kwankwaso, aiming to extend his political reach beyond his stronghold in the North, is reportedly seeking to tap into Aregbesola’s influence in the South-West, particularly in Lagos and Osun, where Aregbesola has considerable sway.
Aregbesola’s recent departure from the All Progressives Congress, combined with his history as a key figure in Tinubu’s political machine, puts him in a unique position to either challenge or align with forces outside Tinubu’s camp.
His political group, Omoluabi Progressives, leaving the APC in Osun adds weight to the narrative that Aregbesola may be shifting alliances as he seeks greater autonomy.
The meeting, while private, hints at the possibility of Aregbesola backing Kwankwaso’s bid or even influencing the South-West’s electoral landscape, given his extensive grassroots network across the region.
NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, confirmed that the meeting between Aregbesola and Kwankwaso was part of efforts to ‘build bridges across the Niger’ but according to the NNPP’s spokesperson, these talks are still in the early stages, and nothing is finalised yet.
“All the cards are on the table,” Johnson told The PUNCH.
“If it were left to Kwankwaso, nothing would have leaked to the media.
“These are still early-stage discussions. However, as you may have noticed, Aregbesola has also been meeting with various political figures.
“So, it’s not just about him and Kwankwaso. They are, however, two prominent individuals in the evolving political landscape,” Johnson stated.
When asked whether Aregbesola might align with the North to work against Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, Johnson said the former Osun governor does not require an invitation to stake his claim in any political movement.
He also dismissed the idea that Tinubu’s allies could intimidate Aregbesola, describing him as a formidable grassroots politician with deep-rooted structures in Osun, Lagos, and across Yorubaland.
“Didn’t he oppose Tinubu in 2023? He did, and the sky didn’t fall. Now that he is no longer in the APC, he is politically free.
If both Kwankwaso and Aregbesola decide not to run themselves, their backing could significantly affect the outcome for whichever candidate or political movement they choose to support.
Their grassroots appeal could make a huge difference, particularly in the South-West, where both men have strong political footholds.
“At the moment, I don’t think Aregbesola is planning to contest any position,” he continued.
“But he would be a massive ally in the South for Kwankwaso.
“If they don’t run, they will still dramatically impact whichever candidates or parties they align with. It’s still early days, and many things will crystallise by the last quarter of this year or next,” Johnson added.
