President-elect Bola Tinubu has reportedly met with Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party on Monday, May 15, in France.
Recall that Kwankwaso polled fourth and won only Kano state in the presidential election held on February 25.
It was said that Senator Kwankwaso and Tinubu has a closed door meeting which lasted for hours in Paris.
A report by Daily Trust suggest that while Kwankwaso’s wife and Abdulmimin Jibrin, an NNPP lawmaker-elect, accompanied him to the meeting, Tinubu’s wife and Femi Gbajabiamila, outgoing Speaker of the House of Representatives, were also present at the meeting.
“The President-elect and Senator Kwankwaso met for over 4 hours behind close door in Paris on Monday. The meeting which started at about 12.30pm ended at about 4.45pm. The meeting was attended by Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon Femi Gbajabiamila. Kwankwaso was accompanied to the meeting by member elect from kano Hon Abdulmumin Jibrin,” the source said.
“Sen Oluremi Tinubu was also there to receive Kwankwaso’s wife Hajia Salamatu who came with her husband. Discussions were centered around their long term friendship since their days in the National Assembly in 1992, national unity and development, priorities for the new government, national assembly contests and the plan by the President elect for a government of national unity which Kwankwaso has in principle accepted to join.”
The source said Tinubu also hinted at reconciling Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano and Kwankwaso.
However, some netizens claim Kwankwaso's meeting with Tinubu has something to do with the ongoing election petition at the Tribunal.
Some believe Tinubu has his eyes on the votes in Kano state should there be a re-run of the presidential election.
Below are some comments,
Tinubu meets Kwankwaso in France. This is 'smelling' like a re-run is inevitable. They are planning a re-run and Tinubu needs those Kano votes.
— Spotlight on #PeterObi #Obidatti023 (@Spotlight_Abby) May 16, 2023
Nigerians, we have to prepare. The political establishment are aligning again, and this time, with the benefit of hindsight. Work dey!
Any Re-run with Tinubu on the ballot is an injustice
— T.God (@ThankGod_Ajayi) May 17, 2023
The evidence against him is so overwhelming he should be arrested and APC disqualified
No chance for re-run, PO got the highest lawful votes. With deduction of stolen votes from APC, APC will take its natural position which is 3rd.
— Ugowil ???????????????? (@UgoWilson) May 16, 2023
NNPP has always been a getaway plan for Tinubu. We were just lucky PO did not agree to vice Kwankwaso else, he would have withdrawn the presidency race n left PO nowhere. That was d plan n reason why he never caved 4 Obi. Most important thing now, is 2 get thiefnubu disqualified
— Timmie K. (@iamteemonkadash) May 17, 2023
I hate to be right but it seems like this is what it may come down to!
— Hon. Adaora, (EMBA) (@HonAdaora) May 16, 2023
APC never lost focus, they stayed atop of a possible rerun plan, vilified PO as badly as they can, did all possible to divide the country!
Guys, a rerun would be high pressure!
We need 2get back in formation!
Not sure how this will work, a re-run under the same Yakubu or who? It’ll be worse than the first election
— Loyaltodagame (@damolaade) May 16, 2023
I smell that too. Considering Keyamo tweet and the new FCT REC deployed from Kaduna.
— Aku (@aku_buo) May 16, 2023
We have to be absolutely smart on this one.
A re-run is possible but considering all the off election allegations against tinubu, if he's not disqualified, it means the judiciary is subverting justice because of one man. But which ever ways it goes, all I know is that PO is Nigeria's next president by God's grace.
— Tempo (@tempoifex) May 16, 2023
Tnubu is planning for a rerun..His legal team must have informed him of the likely annulment of February 25th sham election by the supreme court. Unfortunately,that will not happen as the overwhelming evidence would force the court to declare Peter Obi as the winner....
— Fruitful Hill (@uche_iheanacho) May 16, 2023
