El-Rufai after visiting Buhari sparked rumours of a possible strategic alliance that could transcend party lines in 2027
By Kehinde Okeowo
Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai on Sunday visited former President Muhammadu Buhari at his residence in Daura, Katsina State.
This is coming less than 24 hours after Buhari received Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
Prior to the former Vice President’s visit to the All Progressives Party (APC) chieftain, he had met with two ex-military presidents, Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalam Abubakar, in Minna, Niger State.
Speaking to journalists at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport, Katsina after the visit to Buhari, Atiku said: “First of all, I paid Sallah homage to former President Muhammadu Buhari and the Emir of Daura, Dr. Umar Farouk Umar.
“Secondly, I came to Katsina on a condolence visit to the Emir of Katsina over the death of his son, and the wife of the late Lawal Kaita. This is the reason why I came to Katsina.”
ALSO READ: Shehu Sani labels Atiku’s visit to Buhari ‘trekking in the Sahara’
These high-profile visits have, however, sparked rumours of a possible strategic alliance that could transcend party lines, potentially reshaping the political landscape in lead-up to 2027 elections.
According to observers, the meetings suggest efforts to forge alliances and build consensus among key political figures, which could play a critical role in the dynamics of the 2027.
Meanwhile, human rights activist and former federal lawmaker, Shehu Sani, has described Atiku’s recent visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari as ‘trekking in the Sahara’.
He, however, said the visit was in order if it was for truly to pay Sallah homage and not a political mission.
Reacting to the visit via his X handle on Sunday, he tweeted: “If the Daura visit is a sallah homage, that’s okay. If it’s a political mission, it’s like trekking in the Sahara.”
