President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly met with the presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP. Rabiu Kwankwanso in a bid to solicit his support for his administration.
Tinubu will be sworn in on May 29 to succeed the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari.
The former Kano state came a distant fourth in the February 25 presidential election, won by Tinubu.
But the performance of his party in the last presidential and governorship elections has made him one of the most influential politicians in the country, some say.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, announced Tinubu winner of the competitive election, while Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP came second and third, respectively.
Abubakar and Obi have now challenged the result of the election at the Election Petition Tribunal seeking to overturn Tinubu’s victory.
Tinubu’s meeting with Kwakwanso, according to those privy to the meeting is to douse the tension arising from his declaration as the winner by INEC.
Apart from Kwakwanso, the former governor has also met with other prominent Nigerians, including traditional rulers with a view to get their support for his government.
For instance, some prominent Nigerians have called for the postponement of the May 29 swearing-in date, contending that the court should be allowed to make a judgment on whether Tinubu won the election before he takes power.
Others have also called for the enthronement of Interim National Government, ING, pending the determination of election petitions.
With so much controversy surrounding his election, those watching the political situation in the country said the former Lagos state governor need the support of politicians like Kwankwanso to garner support for his government.
Recall that Kwakwanso, a former Minister of Defense surprised political pundits after his party won the Kano state governorship election, apart from securing the state and National Assembly legislative seats.
His party also won the presidential election in Kano state.
What is not clear yet is whether the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP chieftain will agree to work with the incoming All Progressives Congress, APC.
