Former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has downplayed speculation surrounding his recent visit, alongside prominent political figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, to former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The high-profile gathering, which took place in Kaduna on Friday, has ignited political chatter, especially as it featured opposition stalwarts such as Atiku, former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, and ex-Benue Governor Gabriel Suswam. The visit comes amid talks of a potential coalition forming ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with Atiku and Labour Party’s Peter Obi reportedly working behind the scenes to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Atiku, in a post following the visit, expressed joy over reuniting with Buhari, praising the former leader’s characteristic humour. “Today, I had the opportunity to pay a post-Sallah visit to His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari… As usual, he cracked me up (to the extent that my ribs were hurting) with his peculiar humour,” Atiku wrote. The former vice president also explained that he had remained in Adamawa during the Sallah festivities to represent the Lamido Fombina in various celebratory duties.
The visit has since been interpreted by political analysts as a calculated move ahead of the 2027 elections, potentially marking the beginning of a formidable opposition alliance. Reports also suggest that Atiku and Obi are in talks to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP), with former SDP presidential candidate Prince Adewole Adebayo confirming ongoing discussions.
Reacting to the swirling rumors, El-Rufai took to social media to dismiss claims that the meeting was politically motivated. In a tweet that raised eyebrows, he subtly addressed perceived tensions with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“We joined over [a] hundred faithful for Jumaat prayers at the Yahaya Road Mosque and had a sumptuous lunch at the Buhari Residence. By the way, our adversaries should not lose any sleep. It is not about politics. It is about unity and brotherhood,” El-Rufai stated.
He added wryly, “Since we are all politically irrelevant, we just prayed and enjoyed lunch with our mentor.”
Observers have noted that while El-Rufai claims the visit was strictly fraternal, his use of the term “adversaries” may be a veiled jab at President Tinubu, the APC, and Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State.
As Nigeria’s political landscape braces for another intense election cycle, the Kaduna gathering signal that 2027 might just be the year of unexpected alliances and political realignments. Whether symbolic or strategic, one thing is clear: the game has begun.
