2027 Countdown Begins? Atiku, Obasanjo’s Secret Talks Set Tongues Wagging

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar (left), former President Olusegun Obasanjo, ex-Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke, and former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal during a meeting at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta yesterday.…..READ MORE 

• Ningi, Imoke, Tambuwal Accompany Atiku
• Atiku Labels Visit as Mere ‘Courtesy Call’
• El-Rufai: I Acted for God, Country, and Party in 2023
• Showunmi: Opposition Can Defeat APC Without Merger

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar reignited political discussions about his future and the possible reshuffling of alliances ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

This follows the 2023 PDP presidential candidate’s visit to his former principal, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, at his Abeokuta residence within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL).

Atiku, joined by his political allies, was welcomed by elder statesman Otunba Oyewole Fasawe before proceeding to a private meeting upstairs.

After the session concluded at 2:11 PM, Atiku told reporters it was simply a courtesy visit, refusing to entertain political questions.

“It’s just a courtesy visit, please. I am not going to talk about politics,” Atiku remarked.

Despite Atiku’s dismissal, analysts suggest the meeting could have major implications for 2027. His entourage included influential opposition leaders like Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, Liyel Imoke, and Aminu Tambuwal, sparking speculation about strategic coalition-building efforts.

In 2023, Atiku made a similar visit to Obasanjo, widely viewed as an attempt to secure the elder statesman’s backing, though no public endorsement followed. Obasanjo remains a powerful figure capable of influencing political alliances.

With President Bola Tinubu solidifying his grip on power, the PDP faces mounting pressure to reestablish itself as a formidable opposition. Atiku’s recent moves hint at his intention to stay relevant in Nigeria’s shifting political landscape.

His alliances with Tambuwal, a key northern power broker, and Imoke from the South-South, suggest a broad coalition may be in the works.

While Atiku’s public statements downplay the meeting’s significance, early maneuvering is a hallmark of Nigerian political strategy.