The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Sunday dismissed concerns over the weekend visit of former NNPP presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, and ex-Cross River State governor, Donald Duke, to the Abeokuta residence of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to discuss Nigeria’s political future.
In recent weeks, conversations around the 2027 general elections have intensified after the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, advocated for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election for a second term.
Akume asserted there would be no vacancy in Aso Rock until 2031, following Tinubu’s anticipated completion of a second term. However, opposition parties have remained defiant, vowing to unseat the APC in 2027.
Timeless Update reports that over the weekend, Kwankwaso and Duke, who once contested for the presidency in 2007, visited Obasanjo in Abeokuta for a closed-door meeting.
Though details of their discussion were not disclosed, sources close to the leaders indicated that the meeting was part of a broader effort to strategize for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
Obasanjo, a significant figure in Nigerian politics, has been engaging various stakeholders to examine alternatives to both the ruling APC and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The former president has recently criticized Tinubu’s administration, raising concerns about alleged corruption and Nigeria’s growing debt burden.
Kwankwaso, a political heavyweight in Kano State, commands a strong following, while Duke, a former governor from the South, offers a distinct perspective on governance and national unity.
While specifics of the meeting remain unclear, Kwankwaso’s remarks afterward hinted at a shared commitment to challenge the current political establishment and carve a new path for Nigeria’s leadership.
Confirming the meeting on his verified Facebook page, Kwankwaso wrote, “I was pleased to join my friend, His Excellency Donald Duke, and other associates to pay a courtesy visit to former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta.”
He continued, “Our deliberations focused on critical national issues, including Nigeria’s political future and governance. We deeply appreciate Baba’s warm reception, support, and hospitality.”
Reacting to the development in an interview with The Punch on Sunday, APC’s National Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, downplayed the meeting, describing it as inconsequential to APC’s dominance.
Ibrahim argued that Tinubu’s stature and influence in contemporary Nigerian politics far surpass those of the opposition figures and other political actors.
He said, “With all due respect to Obasanjo, whom I hold in high esteem as a former President, Head of State, and elder statesman, the truth is Tinubu is in a different league when it comes to today’s politics in Nigeria.
“Tinubu towers above them in modern Nigerian politics. The combination of Obasanjo, Kwankwaso, Peter Obi, and Duke, who was my schoolmate, does not pose any threat to Tinubu. These individuals were rejected at the last elections.
“This is not the first time Obasanjo will rally behind someone who eventually loses. He supported Goodluck Jonathan, and Buhari defeated him. He supported Peter Obi in the last election, and Tinubu still prevailed.
“So they can hold meetings endlessly—it won’t pose any challenge to the APC government. Who among Obasanjo, Kwankwaso, Obi, or Duke has not faced defeat? Unless they bring angels, their efforts will lead nowhere. Meetings of these ‘spent forces’ can’t deliver any meaningful outcome.”
