As political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections begin to gather momentum, fresh alignments and quiet consultations are taking shape across party lines, even as the crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continues to linger.
On Sunday, Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed held a closed-door meeting with former Bayelsa Governor, Seriake Dickson, in Bauchi. The meeting, though low-key, is believed to be part of ongoing efforts to reposition key political actors ahead of 2027.
Shortly after, Makinde and Dickson moved to Kano, where they met with former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso and the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
While the gathering was officially linked to the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations, insiders suggest it went beyond mere festivities, hinting at deeper political conversations and possible realignments ahead of the next presidential race.
This development comes at a time when reconciliation efforts within the PDP appear to have hit a wall. The lingering face-off between the governors’ bloc and the camp loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, continues to widen cracks within the party.
Both factions have traded accusations in recent days, particularly over the planned national convention and control of the party’s structure. While one side insists on moving forward with the convention based on court-backed legitimacy, the other has dismissed such claims, describing them as attempts to sideline genuine reconciliation efforts.
The crisis, which has dragged on for months, worsened following conflicting conventions and legal battles that ultimately nullified one faction’s leadership structure. Although there have been recent calls for peace, the tone of engagement suggests that trust remains fragile.
Makinde, in his remarks, drew a clear line, warning that aligning with Wike’s camp could be interpreted as indirectly supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of 2027—a position that further underscores the deep divisions within the party.
Despite the tension, Bala Mohammed maintained that reconciliation is still possible, stressing that political disagreements should not be allowed to become permanent fractures.
Meanwhile, the Kano gathering—held during the annual Dandalin Kwankwasiyya—has attracted national attention, not just for its ceremonial significance but for the calibre of political figures present. Observers believe the meeting may signal the early stages of broader coalition talks that could shape the 2027 contest.
For now, while official statements remain cautious, the body language of key players suggests that beyond the PDP’s internal struggles, a bigger political chessboard is quietly unfolding.
