Secret Saudi meeting claims: APC governor allegedly backs Atiku’s 2027 bid

According to an Exclusive report from the Peoples Gazette, a private meeting in Mecca has triggered political speculation after it was alleged that Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule discussed support for Atiku Abubakar’s 2027 presidential bid, including possible financial backing against President Bola Tinubu.

The report claims that Abdullahi Sule met Atiku Abubakar on March 11, 2026, at the Conrad Jabal Omar Hotel during the lesser hajj. The meeting, said to have lasted about two hours during iftar, was held behind closed doors.

A source quoted in the report described the engagement as politically calculated, saying the governor was “putting his eggs in more than one basket,” and suggesting that Sule was positioning himself ahead of the next electoral cycle. The same source also alleged that discussions included future political alignments if Atiku succeeds in 2027.

Another source was quoted as saying: “Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa met with Atiku Abubakar in Saudi Arabia weeks ago. He had a two-hour meeting with Atiku at Conrad Jabal Omar Hotel in Makka on Wednesday, 11th of March, 2026. The meeting was held at night during iftar.”

The report further alleged that Sule expressed interest in securing political returns from the arrangement, while Atiku was said to have promised support for his senatorial ambition in Nasarawa North and possible committee roles.

Reacting to the claims, Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, said: “I can only confirm to you what I know. I’m not aware of a meeting of that nature. What I can confirm to you is that indeed, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar travelled for the lesser hajj; and he returned to the country on Saturday; that much I can tell you.”

Similarly, Sule’s spokesperson, Ibrahim Addra, said: “I’m not aware of the meeting. But I know that the governor attended the lesser hajj.” He did not address the specific allegation of a political discussion.

The report also cited concerns from within the ruling party, with a source in the Tinubu camp saying: “It’s been our concern lately that some of our party’s governors and senators might betray the president if Atiku Abubakar becomes the candidate of the ADC. We don’t yet know what to do about this dilemma.”

Atiku, 79, has pursued the presidency since 1992 across multiple parties and elections, returning again in 2027 as one of the major opposition contenders.