Minna, Niger State — Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday held a closed-door meeting with former Military President General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) at his residence in Minna. The private session, which lasted for several hours, has drawn political attention ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Atiku and Makinde arrived separately at the Minna residence of the retired general, with Atiku getting there first and Makinde joining later as the talks got underway. No official statement has been released by any of the parties after the meeting concluded.
Speaking to journalists after his interaction, Atiku used the opportunity to criticise recent changes to Nigeria’s Electoral Bill, specifically the decision to adopt a hybrid election results transmission system that mixes electronic and manual processes. He argued the amendment could create confusion and weaken the integrity of elections, saying Nigerians had expected a fully electronic real-time transmission system.
Atiku also condemned the controversial Tax Bills and launched a broad attack on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it as a “party of forgers and riggers” — accusing the party of forgery on several fronts including age limits and tax laws.
Governor Makinde, who also met privately with the former military leader, declined to speak to reporters as he left the meeting.
Observers say the meeting — involving major opposition figures and a respected elder statesman — is being closely watched for its possible implications on political alliances and strategy ahead of the 2027 polls.