By: Daure David
Former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has firmly denied media reports suggesting he is in France to meet with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to discuss the 2027 general elections and the internal crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The denial was issued through his media aide, who described the reports as baseless and misleading. According to the statement, Aregbesola is neither in France nor involved in any clandestine political meeting aimed at influencing future political alignments within the APC.
“There is no truth to the claim that Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is in France or is engaged in any political negotiation with President Tinubu or any other political figure at this time. Such narratives are a figment of the imagination of their purveyors and should be disregarded,” the spokesperson said.
This clarification comes amid rising speculation around potential political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, with various camps within the APC jostling for influence and control.
Adding fuel to the fire, unconfirmed reports have emerged suggesting that former Kano State Governor and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is currently in France for a meeting with President Tinubu. While details of the purported meeting remain sketchy, political observers believe it may not be unconnected to ongoing efforts by the Tinubu administration to consolidate political alliances ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Kwankwaso’s movements have sparked renewed interest due to his perceived influence in Northern Nigeria and his strong showing in the 2023 presidential election. If the meeting with Tinubu is confirmed, it could signal a significant shift in Nigeria’s political landscape, particularly with talks of potential mergers or realignments gaining momentum.
As the APC continues to grapple with internal divisions and the growing ambitions of various political actors, the days ahead are expected to be marked by strategic maneuverings and alliances across party lines.
Both the presidency and Kwankwaso’s camp have yet to issue official statements confirming or denying the reported meeting.
Observers will be closely watching developments in France and at home, as the race toward 2027 gradually begins to take shape.
