Atiku visits Buhari amidst speculations of 2027 election bid
He stated, “First of all, I paid Sallah homage to former President Muhammadu Buhari and the Emir of Daura, Dr. Umar Farouk Umar.
Atiku visits Buhari amidst speculations of 2027 election bid
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s recent visits to prominent northern leaders, including ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, have fueled speculations about his intentions for the 2027 presidential election.
On Saturday, Atiku visited Buhari at his residence in Daura, Katsina State. This visit came just days after Atiku met with former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), and former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), in Minna, Niger State.
Although the details of these meetings remain undisclosed, Atiku, the 2023 presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), characterised his visit to Buhari as a Sallah homage.
In addition to meeting with Buhari, Atiku also paid respects at the residence of the late Lawal Kaita, former Kaduna State Governor, and visited the palaces of the Emirs of Daura and Katsina, Dr. Umar Farouk Umar and Dr. Abdulmumini Kabir Usman.
Atiku was accompanied by notable figures such as former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, former Secretary to the Katsina State Government Dr. Mustapha Muhammad Inuwa, and former PDP National Secretary Senator Ibrahim Umar Tsauri.
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Addressing journalists at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport in Katsina, Atiku reiterated that his visits were primarily for Sallah homage and condolence purposes.
He stated, “First of all, I paid Sallah homage to former President Muhammadu Buhari and the Emir of Daura, Dr. Umar Farouk Umar.
Secondly, I came to Katsina on a condolence visit to the Emir of Katsina over the death of his son, and the wife of the late Lawal Kaita. This is the reason why I came to Katsina.”
When questioned about the leadership crisis within the PDP in Katsina, Atiku assured that upcoming state congresses would address these issues, allowing members to elect their preferred leaders.
Despite Atiku’s explanations, his recent interactions with former military heads of state and Buhari have intensified speculations among political analysts about his potential plans for the 2027 presidential election.
Observers believe these visits may be part of a broader strategy to build a coalition of influential Nigerian leaders in preparation for his possible candidacy.