Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed rumors linking his recent visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari with ongoing opposition coalition talks.
Atiku, who visited Buhari in Kaduna on Friday, April 11, alongside a delegation of notable political figures, stated that the visit was simply a post-Sallah courtesy and had no political undertone.
Responding to the speculation on his official X handle, Atiku wrote:
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 with his peculiar humour.
Atiku was accompanied by several prominent figures, including former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Senator Aminu Tambuwal, former Governors Achike Udenwa, Gabriel Suswam, Jubrila Bindow, and ex-Minister Isa Pantami. While El-Rufai is now with the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the others remain in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The group also joined the Friday Jummat prayers in Kaduna.
Speaking to the press after the visit, Atiku said:
We came here on a courtesy and Sallah greetings visit to President Muhammadu Buhari.
He acknowledged that talks are ongoing about forming a strong opposition alliance but stressed that the visit was unrelated:
“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.”
The visit has sparked widespread social media reactions, with many questioning its timing and political implications. Atiku’s clarification aims to set the record straight and emphasize the non-political nature of the meeting.