The Kano State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has reacted with surprise to a recent Eid-el-Fitr celebration organised by Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), which featured high profile figures including former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and former Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson.
The event held on Sunday at Kwankwaso’s Miller Road home in Kano, also featured the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde.
It was part of the Sallah festivities and included a photo of the opposition leaders, which Kwankwaso shared on his official X account.
Kwankwaso described the gathering as a joyous and united celebration.
He wrote, Delighted to host Their Excellencies, Peter Obi, Seyi Makinde, and Seriake Dickson at my Kano residence for this joyful Sallah celebration,”
“Wishing everyone peace, blessings, and prosperity.”
However, the APC Kano State chapter reacted with surprise, questioning both the timing and political relevance of the gathering.
The party’s Publicity Secretary, Auwal Mai-Nage, informed our correspondent on Monday that the meeting was unexpected and disconnected from the political realities in Kano.
“We are genuinely surprised to see Kwankwaso and Peter Obi relating in this manner.
“This is a Muslim gathering yet Obi is widely perceived as having limited engagement with Muslim groups. For Kwankwaso to prioritise such alliances over local considerations raises serious questions about his political strategy.”
He also criticised the turnout of participants, noting that it was far below expectations for an event featuring top political leaders.
“For a celebration that brought together two presidential candidates and key opposition leaders, the attendance was notably low. Even a local government chairman in Kano can mobilise a larger crowd,” he added.
Mai-Nage further alleged that Obi’s political actions are only based on his own region and expressed displeasure that Kwankwaso, a long-standing political figure in the North, would endorse such alignments.
Observers note that the gathering may be an early indicator of opposition realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Kwankwaso had also met privately with Governor Makinde in Ibadan in February, making people believe that opposition leaders are starting to team up to try to beat the ruling party, APC, at the national level.
