A meeting between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo at the latter’s Abeokuta residence on Monday has sparked a torrent of mixed reactions across the Nigerian political sphere.
Atiku, who was accompanied by former Governors Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State and Liyel Imoke of Cross River State, along with Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi of Bauchi Central, spent about two hours in a closed-door session with Obasanjo.
Despite speculations that the meeting could be tied to Atiku’s potential 2027 presidential aspirations, the former Vice President was quick to dismiss such claims after the session, emphasising that it was merely a “courtesy visit” to his former boss.
“It is a courtesy visit. I’m not going to talk about 2027 or politics. I’m not here because of 2027,” Atiku told newsmen after the meeting.
However, the political grapevine and public sentiment on social media have been anything but reassuring for Atiku, with many Nigerians reacting strongly to the high-profile encounter.
On X (formerly Twitter), the reactions have ranged from skepticism to frustration, with a number of users expressing their discontent with the former Vice President’s continued political maneuvering.
Yaya Oseni, a user on X.com, summed up the sentiments of many, writing, “Same old routine.. Atiku should go and retire.” This view was echoed by @Olatunji Emmanuel, who said, “Pointless meeting, we’re tired of you old folks, this meeting will not help. Peter Obi 2027 or Jagaban should just continue.”
Some critics were more direct in their disdain. Certificate Forger, another user, suggested that Atiku might be seeking Obasanjo’s approval to support Peter Obi for the 2027 presidential race, writing, “Hope he’ll heed to the advice to support Obi for Presidency in 2027. Everyone deserves to see Nigeria work in their lifetime.” .Rodemi Femi voiced a deeper criticism, stating that Obasanjo’s support for Atiku could not be trusted, given the latter’s history. “Oti looo!!! The damage was done a long time ago. Going to OBJ is hazardous to his electability. Also, OBJ support to him cannot be trusted. ‘His propensity……’ is a dent that can’t be erased. QED,” Femi remarked.
Also, Engr Jay added to the criticism, calling into question Atiku’s relationship with Obasanjo and his past public persona.
“Your former boss had destroyed your reputation in the public domain. Are you expecting him to check his mind about what he has already said concerning your character? We are watching, sir,” Jay wrote.
Meanwhile, @SMD pointed out that this meeting was not the first of its kind. “This meeting follows a previous encounter on October 28, 2024, during the 25th-anniversary celebration of the Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation (WOTCLEF) in Abuja, where Atiku and Obasanjo reunited and discussed various national issues,” SMD recalled, suggesting that Atiku and Obasanjo have engaged in multiple discussions, though their political implications remain unclear.
Despite the public outrage, some supporters of Atiku seem less concerned with the meeting, choosing to focus on his long-standing relationship with Obasanjo.
“Atiku has always had a complex relationship with Obasanjo. These kinds of meetings are part of a larger pattern in Nigerian politics where former political allies try to smooth over their differences for strategic purposes. It remains to be seen how this plays out,” said political analyst Tunde Fola.
On the other side of the debate, Array Lat expressed impatience with Atiku’s continued presence in Nigerian politics, writing, “This guy Atiku should disappear. Nigeria needs a complete break from these bunch of shits.”
Some users, particularly in the South, continue to express strong support for Peter Obi as the 2027 elections loom. Engr. Sirrjay wrote, “Any merger without PO in 2027 is dead on arrival, because nobody in the south at the moment can match his 6+m vote that INEC gave to him. That vote means a lot for anyone to defect to Tinubu.”
In contrast, Ifa funfun said that Atiku was once again seeking Obasanjo’s blessing for his 2027 candidacy, suggesting that the former Vice President’s past actions would continue to haunt him.
“Going to beg for his 2027 presidential candidate approval, which will still not be approved. You don’t give someone a mark on his arm and expect him not to remember the evil you did to him once he sees the everlasting mark,” the user added.
