Former Nigerian Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde have separately met former military ruler Ibrahim Babangida in Minna, in meetings that analysts say may signal early political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 general election.
Alhaji Abubakar, who recently left the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC), visited the retired general at his Uphill Mansion on Tuesday. He was accompanied by political allies including Senator Ben Obi and Kashim Imam.
Governor Makinde arrived at the residence more than an hour later for his own private meeting with Mr Babangida. The two politicians did not appear together after their respective visits, further fuelling speculation about the purpose of the talks.
The meetings come amid lingering tensions between Mr Abubakar and Mr Makinde, who were on opposing sides during the PDP’s internal crisis before the 2023 presidential election.
Engr. Makinde was part of the influential G5 governors’ bloc, alongside Nyesom Wike, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Samuel Ortom and Okezie Ikpeazu, who opposed Mr Abubakar’s candidacy. The group had argued that the party’s leadership should reflect regional balance, including the resignation of its national chairman, who was from northern Nigeria.
Speaking to journalists after his meeting, Abubakar sharply criticised the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing it of widespread malpractice.
“What do you expect? APC generally is a party of forgers and riggers,” he said. “They have forged everything. They forge certificates, they forge age limits, they forge everything. So, that is the hallmark of APC.”
He also criticised recent amendments to Nigeria’s Electoral Act, saying voters had expected full electronic transmission of election results rather than what he described as a mixed electronic and manual system.
Atiku Abubakar said his new party, the ADC, does not enforce regional zoning in selecting candidates, unlike the PDP, whose constitution includes such provisions.
He added that the party was working to expand its membership nationwide ahead of future elections.
Governor Makinde declined to discuss the political significance of his own meeting with Mr Babangida, describing it only as a private visit.
Mr Babangida, who ruled Nigeria as military head of state from 1985 to 1993, remains an influential figure in the country’s political landscape, often hosting senior politicians amid speculation over future alliances.
