Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has begun consultations aimed at building a formidable political alliance ahead of the 2027 general elections, with a visit on Friday to former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, in his Ilesa home.
Atiku, who was accompanied by former Vice President Namadi Sambo, met with Aregbesola amid speculations of a new political realignment involving key figures disenchanted with the current leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Aregbesola, who served as Minister of Interior under former President Muhammadu Buhari, recently dropped hints about aligning with a new political movement, further fueling talk of his possible defection.
He is a known political heavyweight in Osun and was a long-standing ally of President Bola Tinubu before their fallout ahead of the 2022 governorship election in the state.
Among those who received Atiku during the visit were former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon Najeem Salam, and ex-Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti—both considered loyalists of Aregbesola.
A source close to the meeting noted, “This is not just a courtesy visit; it’s a strategic consultation. Atiku is building bridges for a strong alternative ahead of 2027, and Aregbesola is a key piece.”
The visit comes ahead of the coronation ceremony of the new Owa of Ijesaland, Oba Adesuyi Haastrup, which both Atiku and Aregbesola are expected to attend.
Political watchers believe this visit may mark the beginning of a major coalition realignment that could reshape the political landscape ahead of the next elections.
Both atiku and aregbesola efforts are dead on arrival. Atiku has already taken the wrong step as his ally and inlaw aregbesola cannot win his ward how much of a State. Failure plus failure equals to extinction.