Atiku Gives Reason For Visiting Former President Buhari As Merger Talks Intensify
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar led a delegation of prominent politicians to visit former President Muhammadu Buhari at his Kaduna residence on Friday. The visit, which drew significant public attention, especially with the 2027 general elections in view, was described by Atiku as a “courtesy and Sallah greetings visit.”
Commenting on the reason for the visit, Atiku stated that the purpose was not political. “We came here on a courtesy and Sallah greetings visit to President Muhammadu Buhari,” he said, addressing media speculation about a potential opposition coalition.
While acknowledging ongoing talks among political parties, he stressed, “There is a plan for the major political parties to come together and form a strong opposition, but it is not part of this visit.”
Due to obligations in Adamawa during the Sallah period—where he represented HRH Dr. Muhammadu Musdafa, the Lamido Fombina—Atiku said he had been unable to visit earlier. He later posted on social media, highlighting the meeting as a “wonderful time” with Buhari. “As the Waziri Adamawa, I was obligated to be in Adamawa during the Sallah celebrations… Today, I had the opportunity to pay a post-Sallah visit to His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari… As usual, he cracked me up (to the extent that my ribs were hurting) with his peculiar humour.”
The delegation included ex-governors Nasir El-Rufai, Aminu Tambuwal, Gabriel Suswan, Jibrilla Bindow, and Achike Udenwa.
The visit, coming shortly after APC governors also visited Buhari, has sparked widespread discussion on its political significance.
