FORMER Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde today held a closed-door meeting with former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd.), at his hilltop residence in Minna, the Niger State capital.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Atiku said his visit to Niger State was aimed at strengthening the structures of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the state, stressing that it had no connection to any plan to contest the 2027 presidential election.
According to him, the discussions were centred on Nigerians’ demand for real-time electronic transmission of election results, which he said would help reduce electoral disputes and confusion.
“At this point, this is not about me contesting elections. It is about Nigerians who want electronic transmission of election results,” Atiku said.
He explained that electronic transmission would promote transparency and minimise chaos during elections, arguing that the current blend of manual and electronic processes under the amended Electoral Act was deliberately designed to create confusion.
“The preference of Nigerians is clear. They want real-time electronic transmission of results. What we have now is a mixture of electronic and manual uploading, which only causes confusion and chaos,” he stated.
Atiku also called on opposition political parties to unite and oppose the Senate’s decision to adopt only manual transmission of election results, urging them not to allow the matter to rest.
He disclosed that the ADC is currently focused on grassroots mobilisation and strengthening its structures nationwide, from the ward level to the national level, through ongoing membership registration and mobilisation.
Although Atiku did not reveal the specific purpose of his visit to General Babangida, he noted that it was not his first visit to the elder statesman. Governor Makinde, on his part, declined to speak with journalists.
The Oyo State governor reportedly remained inside Babangida’s residence after Atiku had departed, with journalists informed that his visit was private and that he would not grant any interview.
Reporters were later asked to vacate the premises, though some waited outside to observe Makinde’s departure.
Atiku arrived in Minna at about 1:30 p.m. and proceeded directly from the airport to Babangida’s residence, while Makinde arrived later at about 2:10 p.m., roughly 30 minutes after Atiku had left.
Atiku was accompanied by several ADC leaders and stakeholders, including Rivers State ADC governorship aspirant Baba Agaie; former Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Senator Ben Obi; Senator Ozemina from Edo State; Niger State ADC Chairman Musa Hassan, and other party officials.