Leon Usigbe, Author at Tribune Online

•Atiku leads El-Rufai, Tambuwal, others to closed-doormeeting with Buhari in Kaduna AS preparations towards the 2027 general elections begin to heat up, the Kaduna home of former President Muhammadu Buhari on Sultan Road, Kaduna, has become a hub of high-level political visits. Earlier this week, the Progressives Governors Forum, led by Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, visited the former president. The All Progressives Congress (APC) governors said they were in Kaduna to brief Buhari on the progress of the ruling party since he left office nearly two years ago. During the meeting, the forum chairman told Buhari that the party was growing stronger and becoming more united ahead of the 2027 general elections. Sources familiar with the meeting revealed that Buhari urged the APC governors to address internal grievances, particularly those festering in some North-West states. Interestingly, barely 48 hours after the APC visit, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also led a delegation of prominent political figures to Buhari’s Kaduna residence. Among those in his entourage were former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, and former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam, among others. The visit has stirred political speculation in some quarters, especially as Atiku intensifies consultations to forge a united opposition front capable of unseating President Bola Tinubu in the next general election. Sources told Saturday Tribune that the meeting between Atiku and Buhari was held behind closed doors. According to one source, the visitors briefed the former president on moves to form a formidable coalition capable of challenging the APC in the 2027 elections. “Since mid-2024, a strong opposition movement has been gathering momentum. People believe only Atiku has the pedigree to take on the current administration,” the source who is close to Atiku said. According to a statement signed by Paul Ibe of the Atiku Media Office, the visit was originally framed as a post-Sallah courtesy call. The statement noted that Atiku, as the Waziri of Adamawa, had been unable to travel during the Sallah celebrations due to traditional obligations in Adamawa State. However, political observers see the visit as more than ceremonial. “This is not just about Sallah greetings. These are key political figures with national reach and recent history of influence in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP),” said a political analyst in Abuja who asked not to be named. “Atiku is clearly laying the groundwork for a broader alliance, and the inclusion of el-Rufai adds an intriguing dimension, given his fallout with the Tinubu presidency.” The visit comes amid growing signs of discontent within the political elite over Tinubu’s economic reforms and perceived centralization of power within his administration. Atiku, who lost to Tinubu in the 2023 polls, has remained vocal in his criticism of the government and has been quietly reaching out to former allies and even estranged rivals to build momentum for a third presidential run. Tambuwal, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives and seasoned political bridge-builder, and el-Rufai, who has retained significant grassroots influence in the North-West, are both seen as crucial players in any potential power realignment. While Buhari’s personal political preferences for 2027 remain unknown, his reception of the delegation - particularly one involving figures who have been critical of the Tinubu government - has fueled further intrigue about the former president’s quiet influence on the evolving political chessboard. As the 2027 race begins to take shape, Friday’s visit marks one of the clearest indications yet that behind-the-scenes maneuvering is well underway. Speaking to journalists shortly after the visit, Atiku said: “We came here on a courtesy and Sallah greeting to President Muhammadu Buhari.” Asked why he came in the company of politicians from various parties, he replied: “I have the right to be friends with anyone, political or non-political—they are all my friends.” On the speculation regarding a grand opposition coalition, he confirmed: “There is a plan for the major political parties to come together and form a strong opposition, but that is not part of this visit.” READ ALSO: Nigeria’s opposition are hook-up girls