Kano APC Expresses Skepticism Over High-Profile Sallah Meeting Between Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso

Kano APC officials question the political strategy of Rabiu Kwankwaso after he hosted Peter Obi and Seyi Makinde for Sallah celebrations.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 23, 2026, 9:01 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Naija News

A Festive Gathering Sparks Political Friction

The intersection of religious celebration and high-stakes politics has created a new wave of tension in Kano following an Eid-el-Fitr gathering at the residence of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. The national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party hosted several heavyweights of the opposition, most notably former presidential candidate Peter Obi, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, and former Bayelsa Governor Seriake Dickson. While Kwankwaso framed the Sunday meeting as a joyous celebration of unity and prosperity, the local ruling party has characterized the event as a calculated and surprising alignment of rival interests.

APC Questions Strategic Alliances in the North

The All Progressives Congress in Kano has been quick to voice its disapproval of the cross-party engagement, specifically highlighting what it views as a mismatch in political sensibilities. Auwal Mai-Nage, the APC’s Publicity Secretary, noted that the party was genuinely surprised to see Kwankwaso and Obi aligning so closely during a traditional Muslim festival. According to Mai-Nage, the alliance appears disconnected from the local political realities of Kano, raising questions about whether Kwankwaso is prioritizing broader national optics over his traditional base in the North.

Criticism of Crowd Mobilization and Public Interest

Beyond the ideological implications of the meeting, the APC leadership took aim at the physical turnout at the Miller Road residence. Mai-Nage asserted that for an event featuring two former presidential candidates and a sitting governor, the attendance was notably underwhelming. He argued that even a local government chairman within the state could typically mobilize a larger demographic, suggesting that the gathering failed to resonate with the grassroots population of Kano despite the high-profile nature of the guests involved.