KEY POINTS
- Atiku Abubakar and Seyi Makinde separately visited Ibrahim Babangida in Minna and held private discussions with him.
- Atiku said his visit was to strengthen ADC structures, not to discuss the 2027 presidential race.
- He also called on opposition parties to demand real-time electronic transmission of election results.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar on Tuesday visited former military president Ibrahim Babangida at his residence in Minna, Niger State, where both men held a private meeting shortly after Atiku arrived around 1 p.m.
The visit, according to Atiku, was primarily a courtesy call and part of his broader political engagements in the state.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Atiku clarified that his trip was not related to any ambition for the 2027 presidential election.
Instead, he explained that he was in Niger State to strengthen the structures of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), noting that the party is focused on grassroots mobilisation and registration efforts nationwide.
He emphasised that he and his party colleagues are working to build strong organisational frameworks from ward level to the national stage, describing party consolidation as a key priority ahead of future political contests.
Makinde Also Visits but Declines Comment
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde also visited Babangida later in the day, arriving around 2:10 p.m. Although both politicians met the elder statesman separately and jointly, details of their discussions were not disclosed.
Makinde remained inside Babangida’s residence after Atiku’s departure and declined to speak with journalists, leaving the purpose of his visit open to speculation.
Atiku, who was accompanied by notable ADC figures including former Osun State governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and ex-senator Ben Obi, used the opportunity to reiterate his support for electoral reforms.
He urged opposition parties to unite against the senate’s preference for manual transmission of election results and instead push for real-time electronic transmission in the ongoing Electoral Act amendment process.
