Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential flagbearer, made a trip to Kano on Sunday for a meeting with influential politician and former Kano governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
The gathering took place at Kwankwaso’s Miller Road home and drew several high-profile attendees, including Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, former Bayelsa Senator Seriake Dickson, activist Naajatu Mohammed, and a number of other prominent personalities.
The meeting has fuelled widespread speculation about possible political shifts, with observers suggesting Kwankwaso could be exploring a defection from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Speaking before a large crowd at the annual Kwankwassiya Sallah celebration, Obi was clear that the visit was first and foremost a courtesy call to mark the festive season and honour his host. He did, however, take the opportunity to express his ambition for Kano’s economic renewal.
“I’m here to felicitate with you on the occasion of Sallah and to pay my respect to our leader,” Obi said. “We want to change Kano. We want to build a new Kano. What we want to do is bring back the power of Kano — all those factories in Bompai, Sharada 1, Sharada 2, Bank of the North — we want to bring all of them back. Today is not politics; it is the celebration of Sallah.”
The occasion underscored a broader push by Obi and his allies to rebuild connections across northern Nigeria, reaffirm their economic vision, and deepen relationships with key political stakeholders in the region. Kwankwaso, for his part, welcomed his guests warmly and expressed delight at seeing leaders and supporters come together in a spirit of festivity and solidarity.
