Prominent opposition figures converged in Kano State on Sunday for the "first stirrings of coalition-building" ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
Former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, and former Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson joined Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, for a Sallah visit at his residence.
The gathering drew a large crowd of Kwankwasiyya supporters, with discussions reportedly centred on strengthening alliances and exploring strategies for the next election cycle.
Addressing the supporters, Obi stressed the importance of unity among opposition parties.
“I’m here to felicitate with you on the occasion of the Sallah and to pay my respects to our leader,” he said, while also assuring Kano residents of plans to revive the state’s industrial base.
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He mentioned ambitions to restore productivity in hubs such as Bompai and Sharada and to revive institutions like the defunct Bank of the North.
“We want to change Kano. We want to build a new Kano. We want to restore its industries and bring back its economic strength,” Obi declared, though he maintained the visit was primarily to celebrate the festival.
Meanwhile, Abba Sadauki Gwale, chairman of the Kwankwaso-Obi Support Group, openly called for a political alliance between the two leaders.
He argued that combining Obi’s southern support base with Kwankwaso’s northern influence could reshape Nigeria’s political landscape and provide a credible challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“If the duo gets the opportunity, Nigeria will be a better place. We are tired of insecurity, hunger, and hardship,” Gwale said.