Former President Olusegun Obasanjo recently met with important political players, such as Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso and former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke, but the All Progressives Congress (APC) has played down the importance of the meeting.
A possible coalition to oppose President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 reelection campaign has been stoked by the meeting, which took place last week at Obasanjo’s home in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
According to reports, Nigeria’s political future and plans for the upcoming general election were the main topics of conversation.
Sources said the talks were part of an attempt to present a unified front against the APC, though specifics are still unknown.
In the 2023 election, Kwankwaso, a prominent figure in northern Nigerian politics, ran as the New Nigeria People’s Party’s (NNPP) presidential candidate.
On social media, Kwakwanso confirmed the meeting, writing, “I was pleased to be in the company of my friend, His Excellency Donald Duke, and other associates to pay a courtesy call on former President Olusegun Obasanjo at his residence in Abeokuta…”
He continued by saying, “The conversation was distinguished by discussions on important national concerns, such as Nigeria’s political and governance destiny. Baba’s kindness, assistance, and warm welcoming are greatly appreciated.
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Bala Ibrahim, the national publicity director for the APC, responded to the situation by calling the meeting irrelevant.
Ibrahim stated in a statement on Sunday that President Tinubu continues to have significantly more political clout and influence than the opposition.
Respectfully, I think highly of Obasanjo,” he stated. As an elder statesman, former president, and former head of state, I don’t want to argue with him. However, Tinubu is not their ally in Nigerian politics, especially in the present era.
“Tinubu is far superior to them in Nigerian politics today. Thus, Tinubu is not threatened by the combo of Obasanjo, Kwankwaso, Peter Obi, and my schoolmate Donald Duke. These individuals were demonized during the previous election.
“This is not the first time Obasanjo will ally himself with a beaten opponent. Don’t forget that he backed Jonathan, the former president of Goodluck, who lost to Buhari. In the most recent election, Tinubu defeated Obasanjo’s other contender, Peter Obi, with overwhelming support.
They won’t pose a threat to the APC government, so they can hold long sessions and continue to do so till the end of time. Of Kwankwaso, Obasanjo, Obi, and Duke, who was not defeated? The situation is different if they are bringing angels. However, a meeting of these same expended forces cannot result in a positive conclusion.
