In what appears to be a major realignment of political forces ahead of the 2027 general elections, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde paid separate, high-profile visits to former military president General Ibrahim Babangida at his Minna residence on Tuesday. The meetings, held behind closed doors, have sparked intense speculation about the future of Nigeria’s opposition landscape.
Atiku Abubakar arrived at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport in Minna shortly before 1:00 pm, accompanied by prominent political figures including Senator Ben Obi and Kashim Imam. The former Vice President spent over two hours in a private session with Babangida. While the nature of their discussion was kept private, sources suggest the visit was a strategic move to secure the elder statesman’s blessing for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Shortly after Atiku’s arrival, Governor Seyi Makinde also made his way to the Hilltop residence, accompanied by the former governor of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola. While Atiku departed the city around 3:20 pm, Makinde remained with the former military leader until late in the afternoon. Inside sources indicate that Makinde’s visit may be linked to his rumored plans to join the ADC, a move that could significantly shift the political balance in the coming years.
Addressing the press after his meeting, Atiku Abubakar was quick to downplay rumors of an immediate presidential bid. He clarified that his current focus is on a nationwide mobilization effort to encourage Nigerians to register with the ADC. He emphasized that the primary goal is to build a formidable party structure from the ward level up to the national stage.
Interestingly, Atiku also touched on the internal regulations of his new political platform. He pointed out that unlike his former party, the PDP, the ADC constitution does not recognize the principle of zoning. He maintained that his visit to Minna was part of a long-standing tradition of paying respect to senior national leaders, insisting that the conversation regarding who will contest in 2027 is a matter for the future.
As the political climate begins to heat up, the movement of these heavyweights toward the ADC suggests a deliberate attempt to create a powerful alternative to the current ruling class. Whether these consultations will lead to a unified front remains to be seen, but the activity in Minna certainly points to a busy season of political engineering ahead.
