Abdulmumin Jibrin, a close ally of Rabiu Kwankwaso, presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the 2023 elections, met with President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja.

Jibrin met with Tinubu on Sunday — the second meeting between the duo in two weeks.

It was gathered that Sunday’s meeting between the president and the former lawmaker lasted two hours, from 9pm to 11pm.

Presidency sources said the meeting may be connected to the relationship between Tinubu and Kwankwaso and the growing sentiments against the All Progressives Congress (APC) in some parts of northern Nigeria.

However, Jibrin declined comments on the purpose of the meeting when asked by State House correspondents.

On July 30, Jibrin met with Tinubu at the State House. He told journalists after the meeting that the discussion focused on national unity and development.

Asked if the meeting was part of defection plans to the APC, Jibrin declined a direct answer but said “everything is open” and “a possibility”.

“But everything is open, and everything is a possibility.”

The most important thing is the stability of the country and its unity. I believe that when we get to the bridge, we’ll cross it,” the former lawmaker had said.

The meeting had taken place days after Kwankwaso alleged that the south is being favoured in terms of infrastructure and development under the current federal government.

Jibrin maintains strong ties with both Tinubu and Kwankwaso.