Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed speculations that his visit to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo on Monday was politically motivated, insisting it was purely a courtesy call.
Atiku, accompanied by prominent political figures, met with Obasanjo at his Abeokuta residence within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library complex.
The former Vice President arrived at Obasanjo’s residence at exactly 12:37 p.m., accompanied by former Cross River State Governor Senator Liyel Imoke, former Sokoto State Governor Senator Aminu Tambuwal, Senator Abdul Ningi, and others. They were received by elder statesman Otunba Oyewole Fasawe before proceeding to a private meeting with Obasanjo, which lasted about an hour and a half.
Emerging from the meeting at 2:17 p.m., Atiku addressed journalists waiting outside, emphasizing that the visit was not politically driven. When asked if the meeting was related to his 2027 presidential ambition, Atiku firmly stated, “I am here on a courtesy call. I am not here to talk politics.”
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He further clarified, “I was not in Abeokuta to see Obasanjo because of 2027,” describing the meeting as “a courtesy visit.” Atiku reiterated, “It is a courtesy visit. I’m not going to talk about 2027 or politics. I’m not here because of 2027.”
Similarly, attempts to get Senator Aminu Tambuwal to comment on the purpose of the visit were unsuccessful, as he also declined to provide details.
The visit has sparked widespread speculation, given the political stature of both Atiku and Obasanjo, as well as the timing ahead of the 2027 general elections. However, Atiku’s insistence that the meeting was non-political aims to quell rumors and focus on the personal nature of the interaction.
The former Vice President’s visit to his former boss highlights the enduring relationship between the two leaders, even as political observers continue to analyze the implications of such high-profile meetings.
