Senior Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Print Media, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, has defended the recent meeting between his principal and the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, saying it should not be viewed with suspicion.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday, Abdulaziz dismissed concerns over the political implications of the meeting, describing it as a normal interaction in the dynamics of Nigerian politics.
“Politicians talk; it’s not a sin to talk across party lines,” he said. “The President or his allies engaging with Kwankwaso — or vice versa — should not be seen as strange or approached with disdain. Politics is about alignment, realignment, and strategic repositioning.”
The presidential aide highlighted the longstanding relationship between Tinubu and Kwankwaso, tracing their political ties back more than three decades. He noted that both men served in the National Assembly during the aborted Third Republic in 1993 and later emerged as state governors in 1999.
“There’s a deep political history between the two. Their meeting should be seen within the context of their personal and political rapport over the years,” Abdulaziz said.
He emphasized President Tinubu’s vast experience in politics, arguing that discussions with political figures across the spectrum — including former rivals — are part of a broader strategy to build consensus and foster stability.
“There is nothing unusual about it. If they are reuniting or exploring new political arrangements, it reflects the realities of our political landscape,” he added.
The recent engagement between Tinubu and Kwankwaso has stirred speculation about possible political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections. However, Abdulaziz maintained that such interactions are standard practice in a democracy.
Ask ChatGPT
Comments