Atiku, Makinde visit IBB; ex-VP seeks backing for ADC

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde on Tuesday paid separate visits to former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd), at his Hilltop residence in Minna, Niger State, amid growing political consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Atiku and Makinde arrived at Babangida’s residence at different times. The former vice president landed at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna, at exactly 12:46pm aboard a private jet with registration number 5N-KAS.

He was accompanied by chieftains of the including Kashim Imam and Senator Ben Obi.

Governor Makinde arrived at Babangida’s residence around 2:00pm, accompanied by a former governor of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

Atiku held a closed-door meeting with Babangida for more than two hours and departed Minna at about 3:20pm. Makinde, however, stayed behind and left around 4:00pm after spending additional time with the former military leader.

Sources told Daily Trust that Atiku’s visit was aimed at seeking Babangida’s support for the ADC, while Makinde was said to have consulted the former military president on his reported plan to join the party.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Atiku said the visit was part of broader efforts to mobilise Nigerians to support and register with the ADC, as well as to strengthen the party’s structures nationwide.

He confirmed his membership of the ADC and noted that the party’s constitution does not recognise zoning.

“We have no zoning in ADC’s constitution. In fact, the only party that has zoning clearly stated in its constitution is the PDP,” he said.

“This is not the first time I have visited Minna. I have always come here to pay my respects. The issue of contesting in 2027 has not even arisen,” Atiku added.

He said the ADC was focused on building strong structures from the ward to the national level while mobilising and registering new members.

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