Atiku Leads El-Rufai, Tambuwal, Others to Buhari in Politically Charged Post-Sallah Visit

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Friday led a significant political delegation, including former Governors Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna and Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto, on a post-Sallah visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari at his residence in Kaduna. While the visit was officially described as a religious courtesy call, the timing and composition of the delegation have raised speculation about its political undertones, particularly in the context of growing tensions within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Just days before Atiku’s visit, a group of APC governors, including Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano, and Hope Uzodinma of Imo, had visited Buhari to plead with him to remain in the party and to dissuade his loyalists from defecting to the Social Democratic Party (SDP). This was part of a broader effort by the APC to maintain unity and prevent a significant split within the party as Buhari’s supporters grow increasingly disillusioned with President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

In contrast, Atiku’s visit is seen by many as a strategic move to engage Buhari and his allies as the 2027 elections approach. The involvement of prominent opposition figures like el-Rufai and Tambuwal suggests a concerted effort to court Buhari’s influence and potentially form a northern alliance that could challenge Tinubu’s grip on power.

While the details of the discussions during the visit remain undisclosed, political observers believe the timing and participants indicate that the meeting was far more than a mere social call. With both the APC and opposition parties jockeying for influence, Buhari’s role as a powerful figure in Nigerian politics remains pivotal, and this visit could signal a new phase in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.