Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Tuesday paid a visit to former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (Rtd), at his Hilltop residence in Minna, the Niger State capital.
Atiku arrived at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna, alongside some chieftains of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), including the Assistant National Youth Leader, North Central, Hassana Shuibu Dada. He then proceeded directly to Babangida’s residence.
Similarly, Governor Makinde arrived at Babangida’s residence a few minutes after Atiku.
Details of the closed-door meeting between the leaders remain sketchy, but it may not be unconnected to the 2027 general election.
After the meeting, Atiku departed Babangida’s residence, leaving Governor Makinde behind.
Speaking to newsmen shortly afterward, Atiku urged opposition political parties in the country to unite and pursue the issue of electronic and manual transfer of election results with seriousness, saying they should not let the matter rest.
He noted that Nigerians were disappointed with the Senate leadership over the recent passage of the Electoral Act.
“Nigerians were expecting real-time electronic transmission at various levels of elections, but what we got is a mixture of electronic and manual transmission of results, which, of course, will cause more confusion or chaos,” he lamented.
When asked whether the ADC is adopting a zoning system, Atiku explained that there is no zoning provision in the ADC constitution, noting that only the PDP has zoning enshrined in its constitution.
“The APC is generally a party of forgers. What are Nigerians to expect? They forged everything, including certificates and even the age limit. That’s the hallmark of the APC,” Atiku alleged.
He added that contesting the 2027 elections is not his priority, stating that, as a member of the ADC, their focus is to ensure the party’s structures are firmly established at the ward, local, and national levels. He stressed that the party is currently mobilising and registering members simultaneously.
On his reason for visiting Babangida, he said, “I always come to the elder statesman, IBB, to pay my respects. This is not the first time I have visited. My visit is private.”
Makinde, however, declined to speak to newsmen.
