In a move that has captured the attention of Nigerians, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar led a delegation of prominent politicians to pay a courtesy visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari at his residence in Kaduna. This visit, which occurred on Friday, has been interpreted by many as a strategic political maneuver ahead of the 2027 general elections. However, Atiku has firmly denied that the visit was linked to any discussions about forming a coalition of opposition parties to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Atiku emphasized that the visit was purely a post-Sallah courtesy call, explaining that his earlier absence during the Sallah period was due to official engagements in Adamawa State, where he represented the Lamido of Adamawa in various religious and cultural activities. “We came here on a courtesy and Sallah greetings visit to President Muhammadu Buhari,” Atiku stated, downplaying any political undertone to the visit. He further clarified that while there are plans for major political parties to come together and form a strong opposition, this was not part of the visit.
The delegation that accompanied Atiku to Buhari’s residence included notable political figures such as former Governors Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna, Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto, Gabriel Suswam of Benue, Jibrilla Bindow of Adamawa, and Achike Udenwa of Imo, among others. The presence of such a diverse and influential team has drawn the attention of political analysts and Nigerians online, with many interpreting it as an early move towards forming a united opposition front. However, Atiku’s insistence that the visit was merely a gesture of goodwill and respect for the former president has helped to temper these speculations.
Atiku, who holds the traditional title of Waziri Adamawa, shared details of the visit on his social media platforms, describing the meeting with Buhari as delightful and noting the former president’s signature sense of humor. “As the Waziri Adamawa, I was obligated to be in Adamawa during the Sallah celebrations. I held forth for the Lamido Fombina (Adamawa) in some of the activities of the Sallah celebrations. Today, I had the opportunity to pay a post-Sallah visit to His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2015-2023. It was a wonderful time with him. As usual, he cracked me up (to the extent that my ribs were hurting) with his peculiar humour,” Atiku wrote.
The timing of the visit is particularly notable as it came shortly after governors elected under the APC, led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, also visited the former president. Both visits have sparked varying interpretations in political circles, with many observers viewing these interactions as strategic alignments ahead of the next electoral contest. Despite the intense speculation surrounding these meetings, Atiku’s visit has been seen by many as a positive gesture of goodwill and respect, reflecting the importance of maintaining cordial relationships across political divides in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape. As the country moves closer to the 2027 elections, such interactions are likely to continue drawing attention and sparking discussions about the future of Nigerian politics.
