By Passman Akpos
In a move sending political ripples across Nigeria, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar paid a surprise courtesy visit to former President Goodluck Jonathan at his Abuja residence on Saturday. The meeting marks their first publicised encounter since Jonathan returned from an election observation mission in Guinea-Bissau.
Atiku shared images from the rendezvous on social media, describing it as a “pleasant reunion,” but political watchers see far more than pleasantries. The meeting comes hot on the heels of Atiku’s official defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC)—a party rapidly positioning itself as a serious challenger to Nigeria’s entrenched political giants.
“It was a pleasure catching up with former President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday evening, following his recent return from Guinea-Bissau,” Atiku wrote, leaving Nigerians speculating about the real agenda behind the high-profile meetup.
Insiders suggest the visit may hint at Atiku’s ambitions to become the ADC’s presidential candidate in 2027, as the party intensifies efforts to lure top political figures and consolidate national influence.
Atiku cited his departure from his former party, attributing it to a drift from founding ideals, but the timing of the visit to Jonathan has sparked a frenzy of political theories. Analysts are already weighing whether this signals a broader alliance or a strategic positioning ahead of Nigeria’s next general elections.
As the ADC courts the country’s political heavyweights, the political landscape ahead of 2027 is beginning to look more unpredictable—and potentially explosive—than ever.
