NIGERIA: Atiku Meets Obasanjo in Abeokuta, Denies Political Motive

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has downplayed speculations surrounding his visit to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, insisting that the meeting was purely a courtesy call and not politically driven.

Atiku, accompanied by key political allies, arrived at Obasanjo’s residence within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta at exactly 12:37 pm on Monday.

His entourage included former Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke; former Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aminu Tambuwal; and Senator Abdul Ningi, among others.

The delegation was received by elder statesman Oyewole Fasawe before proceeding to a closed-door session with Obasanjo, which lasted approximately one and a half hours.

Emerging from the meeting at 2:17 pm, Atiku addressed journalists, firmly dismissing any political undertones linked to the visit.

“I am here on a courtesy call. I am not here to talk politics,” Atiku stated when asked whether the visit was connected to his potential 2027 presidential ambition.

His remarks, however, did little to quell speculations, especially as his meeting with Obasanjo comes amid growing political realignments ahead of the next election cycle.

Efforts to get further clarification from Tambuwal were unsuccessful, as he declined to comment on the purpose of the visit.

Atiku and Obasanjo, who shared a sometimes turbulent working relationship during their tenure from 1999 to 2007, have met on multiple occasions in the past, often sparking discussions about political alliances.