Former First Lady Aisha Buhari has held a meeting with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, in an encounter that is likely to fuel fresh speculation about political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Atiku disclosed the meeting on Wednesday through his X handle, describing the visit by Aisha as “warm and deeply appreciated”.
The former Vice-President did not disclose details of their discussions or indicate that any political agreement was reached.
Instead, he used the occasion to highlight the economic difficulties confronting Nigerians, particularly the rising cost of food, transportation, education and healthcare.
“Today, I was delighted to receive former First Lady, H.E. Aisha Buhari. Her visit was warm and deeply appreciated,” Atiku wrote.
He said the meeting underscored the responsibility of political actors seeking a better Nigeria to put the welfare and future of citizens first.
According to him, Nigerian families are being placed under increasing financial pressure by the cost of basic necessities.
“Across our country, families are being stretched by the rising cost of food, transport, education, healthcare and other basic necessities,” he said.
Atiku added that Nigerians deserved an economy that rewarded hard work, restored opportunities and allowed families to live with “dignity and hope”.
He concluded by calling for collective efforts to reduce the economic burden on citizens and rebuild confidence in the country.
“That is the Nigeria we must build together, a country that works for its people again. We must ease the burden, restore hope and Make Nigeria Affordable Again,” he said.
Meeting sparks political speculation
The meeting comes amid renewed opposition manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with Atiku emerging as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress and opposition politicians exploring possible alliances.
Although there is no indication from either Atiku or Aisha that the meeting was convened to discuss electoral cooperation, the encounter is likely to attract political attention given Aisha's profile and her connection to the administration of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Aisha has not publicly endorsed Atiku's 2027 presidential ambition in connection with the visit, while Atiku has not announced any political arrangement involving the former First Lady.
Nevertheless, political observers may interpret the meeting against the backdrop of efforts to assemble a broad coalition capable of challenging President Bola Tinubu's administration in 2027.
Atiku's political camp has been involved in discussions with opposition figures over possible cooperation, while questions remain over how the various presidential ambitions within the opposition will ultimately be reconciled.
A meeting between Atiku and Aisha Buhari could therefore add another layer to those conversations, particularly if subsequent engagements between prominent figures from different political camps emerge.
For now, however, the publicly available details point only to a meeting between two prominent Nigerians, with Atiku choosing to frame it around the economic hardship confronting citizens.
Whether the encounter has any wider political implications may depend on further engagements or statements from the two sides as the 2027 political process gathers momentum.
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