Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar dismissed speculations that his recent visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari is linked to ongoing coalition talks with the opposition.
On Friday, April 11, Atiku, who led a delegation of prominent political figures to Buhari’s residence in Kaduna, clarified that the visit was purely for Sallah celebrations and had no political agenda.
The visit came a few days after the Governor of All Progressive Conferences (APCs) led by Senator Hope Uzodimma, also visited Buhari during the Eid celebrations. Attiku said to guess through his formal X handle: “As Waziri Adamawa, I am obliged to be in the Sallah celebration during the Sallah celebration. Nigeria, 2015-2023, he is like him as usual.
Atiku’s delegation included former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufa’i; former governor and service senator Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State; former governor of IMO State Achike Udenwa; former governor of Benue State Gabriel Suswam; former governor of Adamawa Jubirila Bindow; and former communications minister Isa Pantami.
Although El-Rufa’i is currently affiliated with the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Atiku and most delegations remain members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). All four; El-Rufa’i, Atiku, Tambuwal and Pantami also participated in Kaduna’s Friday Jummat prayer.
After the visit, Atiku reiterated after addressing reporters that the match was a totally polite and festive appeal to the former president. “We are here politely, Sallah’s greetings visiting President Muhammadu Buhari,” he said.
When asked about the potential opposition coalition, Atiku confirmed that discussions between the parties were indeed ongoing, but stressed that they had nothing to do with the visit. He clarified: “There is a plan to unite the main political parties and form a strong opposition, but that is not part of this visit.”
The visit attracted great interest from Nigerians and sparked a wave of comments on social media about their political implications. Atiku’s statement is intended to calm these speculations and to strengthen the ritual and apolitical nature of the visit.
