The All Progressives Congress (APC) has downplayed the significance of a meeting between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
Atiku had in the company of political figures, including former governors Liyel Imoke (Cross River) and Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), paid a visit to the former leader in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Following the visit, Atiku said it was purely a courtesy call.
“I was not in Abeokuta to see Obasanjo because of 2027,” Atiku stated. “It is a courtesy visit. I’m not going to talk about 2027 or politics. I’m not here because of 2027.”
However, sources suggest it may be related to his 2027 presidential ambitions. The meeting has sparked rumours of a possible coalition between Atiku and Obasanjo, with a source confirming that they are exploring ways to work together to “salvage” the country ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Yes, we are trying to see how we can collectively work together to salvage this country ahead of 2027,” a source revealed.
Reacting, the APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, described the meeting as a gathering of “indolent and lazy” politicians, posing no threat to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Basiru said that the APC is focused on delivering President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and winning the November 8 governorship poll in Anambra State. He dismissed the meeting as a non-issue, questioning how a group of politicians “in disarray” could pose a threat to the APC.
He said, “We don’t react to other people’s acts as a political party. We only do our own things. Presently, our plate is full. We are personally concentrating on how to win and bring Anambra on board for the APC. So, we don’t have time for talks on any political meetings. We also have a responsibility to run the government.
“They (Atiku and Obasanjo) are indolent; they don’t have anything to do. So, they can meet any day, any time. Our government is concentrating on delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu. We don’t have an issue with some indolent people meeting anybody they want to meet.”
Asked whether the ruling party don’t see the gathering of political bigwigs as a threat, Basiru said, “How can people who are in disarray be a threat to a solid political party like the APC? We are talking about a party that is not embedded in any crisis and has high-calibre people who can win elections.
“So we are not worried. We are concentrating on winning the Anambra governorship election on November 8. That’s where our concentration lies for now.”
This development comes as the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, expressed openness to a coalition, but only if it aligns with his values and vision for a better Nigeria.
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party was running mate to Atiku in the 2019 polls.
