- Rauf Aregbesola and Rabiu Kwankwaso met in Lagos, triggering speculation about a potential political alliance for the 2027 elections
- Sources revealed Kwankwaso’s interest in Aregbesola’s influence in the South-West, especially after his departure from APC
- While Aregbesola isn't expected to run, his political influence is seen as key to any future alliances in the region
Emerging reports suggest that last Saturday’s closed-door meeting between former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, and the National Leader of the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, may have been a strategic move by Kwankwaso to assess his political options in the South-West ahead of the 2027 elections.
The high-level meeting, which took place at Aregbesola’s Lagos residence, has sparked intense speculation about a potential coalition or alignment between the two influential political figures.
While details of their discussions remain confidential, the encounter has been widely interpreted as an effort by Kwankwaso to expand his political influence beyond his traditional base in the northern part of Nigeria.
A source close to Kwankwaso’s camp shared with The PUNCH that the NNPP leader is looking to capitalise on Aregbesola’s political clout, especially in light of Aregbesola’s recent departure from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his growing estrangement from President Bola Tinubu.
“It is no secret that Kwankwaso has long sought to extend his political influence beyond the Niger. However, he has faced challenges because many key figures in the South-West remain loyal to Asiwaju Tinubu. Aregbesola presents an opportunity for him to rekindle his ambition of gaining a foothold in the region, particularly in Lagos and Osun, where Aregbesola wields considerable power,” the source explained.
Recently, Aregbesola’s political group, the Omoluabi Progressives, made headlines when they announced their exit from the APC in Osun, citing victimisation by the party’s leadership. This move has only intensified speculation about Aregbesola’s next political move.
Also, NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, confirmed that the meeting between Aregbesola and Kwankwaso was part of broader efforts to “build bridges across the Niger.”
“All the cards are on the table. If it were up 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 figures in the evolving political landscape,” Johnson stated.
When asked if Aregbesola might align with the North in an attempt to oppose Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, Johnson emphasised that the former Osun governor does not require an invitation to align with any political movement.
“Aregbesola doesn’t need an invitation to stake his claim in any political movement. He is a major political force in his own right. It’s well known that he has played a significant role in Tinubu’s political success, especially in Lagos. In the past, Tinubu could barely move through Alimosho without Aregbesola by his side,” Johnson said.
Johnson further dismissed the idea that Aregbesola could be intimidated by Tinubu’s allies, describing him as a seasoned grassroots politician with deep-rooted structures across Osun, Lagos, and Yorubaland.
“Didn’t Aregbesola oppose Tinubu in 2023? And the sky didn’t fall. Now that he is no longer in the APC, he is politically free. He has his own formidable support base, and his influence will be felt in any alliance he chooses,” he added.
While there is no indication that Aregbesola intends to run for office in 2027, his influence in the South-West is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping political dynamics in the region.
“At the moment, I don’t think Aregbesola is planning to contest any position. But he would be a massive ally in the South for Kwankwaso. Whether they run for office or not, their influence will significantly impact whichever candidates or parties they align with. It’s still early days, and many things will become clearer by the end of this year or early next year,” Johnson further expressed.
Osun APC suspends former gov Aregbesola over alleged anti-party activities
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) suspended former governor and ex-Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, over allegations of anti-party activities.
The suspension took immediate effect, pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings initiated by the state party leadership.
The decision followed a request from the Ilesa East Local Government APC Executive Committee, which submitted a petition to the state party chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, outlining Aregbesola's alleged actions that reportedly undermined the party.
